HEY, SERIOUS OR NOT?

Ever heard of a campaign that sounds something like this: PERKASAKAN BAHASA MALAYSIA (or Bahasa Melayu, I also cannot tell anymore). I read and heard about it so many times on newspapers and tv news before. What does it actually mean? Simple. It means that we Malaysians have to strengthen our national language.

Yes people, in case you've forgotten, Bahasa Malaysia (or Bahasa Melayu, I also cannot tell anymore) is Malaysia's national language. Period.

I don't think our government is actually serious about this campaign. I may be wrong but here are my points to support my opinion.

1. They introduce a few subjects to be taught in English at schools. I'm not against it (in fact, loving it) but it contradicts with their campaign. So, which is it?

2. From time to time, I keep on encountering words translated directly from English, eventhough we already have those words in Malay (as shown in the bracketed words below). Here are some examples:
- kolaborasi = collaboration (usahasama)
- interpretasi = interpretation (terjemahan/takrif)
- sinema = cinema (pawagam)
- maksimum = maximum (tertinggi)
- fasiliti = facility (kemudahan)
- informasi = information (maklumat)
- sensor = sensor (pengesan)
And surprisingly, I found these in newspaper's articles and even on the news.

I'm not a language genius but it just doesn't seem right. Now, every time I came across words that I know originated from an English word, I would instantly recall the existing Malay word for it.

Well, I'm just expressing my observation. Nothing more, nothing less.

Sekian, terima kasih.


Note: Who else would stand up for BAHASA MALAYSIA if not us Malaysians?