Don’t Adulterate Bahasa Melayu

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Malaysians should stop the practice of speaking Bahasa Melayu mixed with English in their daily conversations as this would affect the usage and strength of the Malay language as the national language.

However, using English words which were already accepted in the Bahasa Melayu vocabulary was not a problem, said Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

"The problem is when we love speaking half in Malay and half in English. This we should avoid," he said after the launching of the ministry's Culturalisation of Language Programme at the Craft Complex, here, Thursday.

It was jointly launched by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Rais.

Rais said since Bahasa Melayu and English were on the "same track", mixing of the two languages occurred.

"So, we must be careful when we include words from another language. Some adopted English words are acceptable but avoid using English words if there are Bahasa Melayu words with the same meaning available," he advised.

Rais said culturalisation of Bahasa Melayu was important as it would give new meaning to activating usage of the national language in the daily life of Malaysians.

He said to make the programme a success, not less than 54 different activities would be organised nationwide, involving the non-Malay community, private sector and students as well.

The programme, to be carried out by 18 government agencies, will include language guidance sessions, poetry recitals, pantun competitions and musical comedies.

Source: http://www.bernama.com
Photo: http://www.internationalteflacademy.com

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