Radio, best platform to fight ‘bahasa rojak’
KUALA LUMPUR: Often considered a glamorous job, the career of a radio presenter carries the responsibility not only to effectively convey information to the public but also to uphold the dignity of Bahasa Melayu (the Malay language).
With an estimated radio listenership of around 95.4 percent or 21.2 million in Peninsular Malaysia in 2023, radio is characterised as one of the best platforms capable of influencing society, especially the younger generation who are increasingly exposed to the use of ‘bahasa rojak’ (mixed language).
In recent years, the trend of mixing languages, known as “bahasa rojak” – where more than one language is combined – has raised concerns among language experts, as it is common among school students.
In fact, this concern is also acknowledged by two senior local radio presenters who agree that radio broadcasts can educate listeners to use proper Bahasa Melayu with correct tone, vocabulary, and pronunciation, as well as introduce new words, thereby increasing public knowledge.
“We have Bahasa Melayu, a beautiful language, an organised language, a poetic language, a language of verses.
“(With the beauty of this language) where else do radio presenters want to showcase the best Bahasa Melayu if not on the radio?” said Halim Othman, 59, in an interview with Bernama Radio on World Radio Day Tuesday.
Sharing her experience as a radio presenter for over 20 years, Linda Onn, 45, said she was previously reprimanded by the programme producer at that time, Kudsia Kahar, for mixing Bahasa Melayu and English on air.
“I only mentioned one English word, which is ‘call’, while hosting a Malay programme and was reprimanded by producer Kudsia who questioned whether I was working on a Malay or English radio station.
“I explained that I was used to using the word ‘call’ but Kudsia insisted that I couldn’t because it is a Malay-language broadcast. If you want to speak English, you speak English in a full sentence, she said,” Linda said.
The reprimand made Linda remember it until today, to never “mix” Malay and English languages, whether when broadcasting or attending meetings.
Seeing the radio broadcasting industry advancing, Linda considers the career of a radio presenter not only strengthens her in upholding the national language but also in various aspects, including current issues, not only related to the entertainment industry alone.
Celebrated on Feb 13 each year, World Radio Day aims to appreciate the role of radio as an information medium besides being an entertainment platform and music industry worldwide.