In the service of a language
AS a Malay linguist, I am dutybound to elucidate the issue of vocabulary borrowing in the Malay language that was put forth in, ‘Killing Bahasa Malaysia with foreign words’ ( The Star, Oct 22).
First, we should understand that the Malay Language has been significantly enriched by loan words and phrases over the years from many languages via language contact, from Sanskrit to English. Therefore, we owe a lot of words from these languages.
Etymological studies have ascertained this linguistic fact and truth. The influx of borrowed words do not in any way kill a language. Rather, it is an appropriate way to develop a language, particularly the vocabulary.
Borrowing is part and parcel of language development. It is an essential element in vocabulary development.
More than 80 percent of current English words are said to be borrowed words from European, Latin and other languages. Does this mean English is a ‘polluted’ or ‘corrupted’ language?
In language, borrowing synonymous words for existing Malay words has become a norm and trend among users. We have many such words in Malay that were borrowed from other languages to become an alternate word, like aktiviti (activity) for kegiatan, politik (politics) for siasah and program (programme) for rancangan.
To avoid coining words and borrowing words according to whim and fancy, rules and regulations have been put in place to ensure that it is done in accordance to the guidelines and rules of Malay language.
We must also understand that not all words used are accepted as the standard form in Malay Language.
New words whether borrowed or coined, need to adhere to rules and regulations stipulated by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), the guardian of the Malay Language in Malaysia.
For example, the popularly used word bajet (budget) is not a standard word but a colloquial one. If you look into the Kamus Dewan 4th Edition, the word bajet is categorized as kata basahan (colloquial word). The standard word, of course, is belanjawan.
Malay is truly a beautiful language. Borrowing words does not in any way tarnish or spoil its beauty.
Do the classical Malay texts, like Sejarah Melayu which has plenty of Sanskrit and Arabic words, in any way diminish the beauty of the language?
As said by our eminent Malay linguist, Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Nik Safiah Karim, borrowing is one facet of language development.
Let us not be unduly perturbed by the use of borrowed words in the Malay language. Accept it as a norm and allow borrowing to enrich vocabulary of our national language.