As shown in the video, the speaker
commented Malaysian English as the most colourful English in the world.
Malaysian English has its own style and register which is quite unique and peculiar
among the varieties of English. Lexis such as “where got” or “see first” are
only known among Malaysians. This unique pronunciation identify Malaysian’s
ethnic group from the others is called shibboleth,
a custom or practice that portrays one as an insider or an outsider.
In order to be communicative competent, we
have to move along the continuum based on different factors such as identity,
audience and situation. For example, there is no point of using posh English accent
in night market while you can get what you want sooner by using typical Malaysian
English. Besides, Malaysians will have the sense of belonging when adding fillers
like “la” or “ma” when speaking English even though it is not standard.
I am proud of being a Malaysian where our
language is colourful and unique due to our multi-cultures. In my opinion, it
is alright to have personal style of dialect even though it is not standard. We
just need to know when to move along the continuum and adapt the style or
cultures based on different factors in order to be communicative competent.
Malaysian English can actually be divided into different categories from being fluent with no grammatical error, to being fluent but with no perfect grammar, or even broken English with no real structures at all.
ReplyDeleteThis brings us to the concept of the continuum, because there is no scales, no degrees to which we can refer the standard of the English to. Communicative competence is the most important I agree. The relevance and manner in which one uses his or her language determines the use of the language.
As you have mentioned, we do not use high-ended English in the night market. We have to be competent. However, is competency proportional to prestige of a language? No, to be competent is to be able to use the right type of language for the right situation. To get what we want, or to get our message across, or just to simply get a conversation going; we have to be competent, and not think that the Standard English of the British or the American is the only practical ones.
I am also proud to be a Malaysian as our language has different styles and it is unique. Malaysian English is one of the things that Malaysia is famous for. We use different kind of slangs in different situation. As Ann mentioned above that we have no point in speaking Posh English in a night market. It is true that Posh English has a higher standard, but what it the point of speaking it in a night market where no one would actually acknowledge it. The people in the night market might as well think of you as someone who is showing off that you just came back from overseas. We would not benefit anything from it, the sellers would maybe even increase the prices.
ReplyDeleteTo practice our stylistic continuum, we should be able to slide around and use the appropriate language according to the situation. We also have to look at the identity and audience to move along with the continuum. Then, we can be communicative competent.
Some people would always want to speak posh English to show that they are at a higher social status. It will be quite annoying to those who do not understand them. I agree with Aaron's point that communicative competence is the most important as language functions no other than communication. If the audience do not understand what you are conveying and thus causes problem in communication, language is not really being useful here. As a result, we should slide along the continuum and be relevant based on different situation.
ReplyDeleteI agree when people said that Malaysian English is unique. It is because their English is influenced by Indian, Chinese , and also Malaysian language. As we know that those are the 3 major ethnics who live in Malaysia. So their English is well known by the word "la" "ma". We can recognise easily when they speak. I think it is positive. for me I think for the language, when people can communicate and they don't have problem, they can go on.
ReplyDeleteAnd also the same time, Malaysian English can be the national identity for the Malaysia. Language also is part of the culture, and with their unique English, it also can be the identity of their country. Because the way they speak English, we just can find in Malaysia.