Language usage
Two alternatives for the word 'I' in Malay are 'saya' and 'aku'. The sign for the former is the standard international sign for 'I' (left). For 'aku' the fist is closed to represent the letter 'a'.
Although four major world languages—Malay, Chinese, Tamil and English—predominate in Malaysia, at least 80 different tongues are spoken as first languages. Many Malaysians speak second, third and even fourth languages too. Language choice varies according to the situation, as well as the age and ethnic membership of the speaker. Certain groups have even chosen to permanently change their first language. Malaysians are also often literate in more than one language, and literacy rates continue to rise.
- Information in the full article includes
- Malay: the dominant language
- Situational choice in language
- Changing affiliations