MANGLISH MAKES US MALAYSIAN LAH
I REFER to the letter, "What's there to boast about when we're speaking Manglish". I was bemused by the writer's opinion because i feel that we should all be proud to speak Manglish.
Language defines us, and Manglish is a symbol of unity among Malaysians. It's what makes us Malaysian. We have made English our own, so there !
I can write extremely good English, and speak it too. I speak formal English when i go for interviews or when i speak to foreigners because they obviously do not understand Manglish.
However, when i talk to my friends, i use Manglish because i do not want to sound like a pompous cow, trying to sound British or American when i'm 101% Malaysian.
As a matter of fact, why doesn't the writer criticise Americans for speaking American English ? Even better, why don't we all speak the Queen's English ? What's the English standard for the writer, i'm curious.
To enunciate the T's ? Has the writer watched My Fair Lady ? Even the English can't speak English !
Therefore, it is okay to say "You Got See Ali arr ?" or "Got arr, you never see him mie ?" to Malaysians because we would understand it. It's a common ground to connect to each other.
If someone were to speak in flawless English with a tinge of English or American accent, then i would feel alienated and belittled. C'mon, i know you can speak perfect English lah, but please lah, we're all same same mah. I can speak, you also can speak. What's the problem ler ?
JULIA TAN
Penang
THE STAR NEWSPAPER, 24 JULY 2009
2 comments:
So？？ The point is??
Is it right for us to speak manglish instead of English?
I think if we can adapt ourselves in whatever language, it doesn't matter. But yes, officially, we have to use back the standard English. Is more formal and presentable. Plus, Manglish is same as Singlish which is one of a kind. Singaporeans use Singlish to communicate among them and when they use it in front of foreigners, they change to another speaking style , which is a more formal way to perform the English.
Be it Manglish or Singlish ... It is a DISGRACE. My friend from Australia is laughing at us ... SARCASTICALLY !
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