SOME netizens on X have flagged the increasing mix of Malay and Arabic in local speech, expressing discomfort and ‘cringe’ when hearing Malay laced with Arabic terms.
But others hit back against such criticism, saying it is the same over the use of English by some when they speak Malay.
Kenapa ramai orang Melayu cakap rojak campur Malay-English tak rasa geli @ cringe?
Tapi bila ustaz2 dan para asatizah kita guna bnyk words dlm bahasa Arab mcm Ana, syukran dan etc tiba-tiba geli tu datang?
Double standard atau white supremacy? https://t.co/ORZHw5fjmY
— ekram 💣 (@ekram2525) October 11, 2024
This has led to netizens clashing over cultural identity and linguistic purity.
An X user commented on the following: “Why is it that when many Malays mix Malay and English, no one feels uncomfortable or ‘cringe’? But when our Ustaz and Asatizah use a lot of Arabic words like ‘ana’, ‘syukran’, etc., suddenly that cringe feeling appears? Is this a double standard or white supremacy?”
For some, this comment could be seen as addressing perceived biases in language usage among Malaysians, questioning why Arabic influences are judged differently compared to English ones.
The poster asked whether the sentiment against the use of Arab words in the Malay language is part of a ‘white supremacist’ thing.
In response, another user noted the fact that English is an international language but, according to them, Arabic is not.
“If you say ‘syukran’ in America, people will just think you’re a terrorist, that’s what I’m saying.”
Additionally, other users cynically asked the original poster to translate the English words he used in his text.
He used several English words while venting out against the language being mixed with Bahasa. They asked if he could enlighten them with the Arabic translation of these words.
The user also queried whether the mixing of Arabic is just to show how Islamic one is, while the Malay-English mix happens because some words are easier in English.
One user may have found the perfect formula even though not many would agree.
“Malay + English + Chinese + Indian = Malaysian culture. Malay + Arab = I don’t know what culture that is. Arabs have nothing to do with Malaysia. Why not throw in French or Brazilian culture as well?
“Fact: Some Malays think they’re the most Islamic just by mixing Malay with Arabic,” the user wrote.
Just recently, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim criticised the elites, including those born in London, for prioritising English over the national language.
He emphasised the importance of English for global opportunities but stressed the need to maintain Bahasa’s prominence. – Oct 13, 2024
Main image: wiki
