KUALA LUMPUR: Recent local newspapers have begun reporting on the importance of language learning in the country, pushing Malaysia schools to promote multi-lingual students. But a number of readers and commentators have begun to discuss the need to ensure the Malay language remains “pure.” Malaysia's The Star newspaper, which published an article on the idea of maintaining solid English language skills, then received a number of letters detailing the need to remove English words from everyday Malay use. One reader, a professional translator even went so far as saying it is hurting the overall cultural heritage of the country. “As I am often asked to do some translation work, I find that it is a shame that ‘this trend' of lending English words to Bahasa Malaysia is quite rampant,” wrote Nazreen from Selangor. “It seems like taking the easy way out, as one doesn't have to scratch the head to find what ‘accountability' mean in Bahasa Malaysia – so opting for akauntabiliti instead. Or just choosing the word kualiti for ‘quality' instead of mutu,” the writer said. It comes as the government has been pushing for Malaysian students to become proficient in multiple languages. At the same time, many school teachers argue that the rise in foreign language instruction and promotion might be hindering the Malay language use. “I see my students all the time using a mixture of English and Malay in their conversations because I think they think this is the new trend,” said Petaling Jaya teacher Maya. She told Bikyamasr.com that “teaching Malay is extremely important because it is the spine of Malaysia and if our younger generation struggles with it, how can we be a solid country?” Nazreen, who is a translator, agrees with Maya, saying, “I am an advocate of languages, as there is a lot of beauty and grace in the languages of the world.” For now, the language question in Malaysia and within the education system appears to be a never-ending debate. At the same time, the growing push for increasing Malay language is on the rise.
