by Sam Trailerman
Does the ability to excel in English makes one less an Indian, Chinese, Malay, Iban, Bidayuh or Kadazan in this country? Certainly not!
Recently a Standard 6 schoolboy posted this on social media: “Why did I fail (my English test)? Because I’m not British!”
Did he really post it? Maybe yes, maybe not. Could it be the work of his elders to provide a lame excuse for failing?
On the other side of the coin, there was a picture of another boy on social media, perhaps five years older than the first guy, seen at a Muslim cemetery, and seeking blessings from his departed dad just before his SPM English language oral exam.
That second guy definitely understands the importance of English, a language that is used widely and appreciated in many places on this planet.
Even though English is not our national language, equipping oneself with good English will help us in life, whether pursuing further studies for ourselves, our careers or social circles.
English has become the lingua franca of many countries today, so to speak, meaning it is a language that is adopted as a common language between speakers whose native languages are different.
You don’t want to end up as a so-called doctor, engineer or diplomat who can’t even utter good English proficiently to communicate well, do you?
Those who can master the English language tend to have more opportunities in their professional and social circles globally. No way mastering the English language will make you a lesser Malaysian, I tell you.
Just like me. I speak Tamil, my mother tongue; Malay, our national language; English and the Chinese Hokkien dialect. There was a time when an opportunity to master Tagalog, the Philippine language, came knocking. But then things did not turn up as expected so I ended up knowing a few useful phrases like “Kamusta Ka” (How are you?) and “Mahal Kita” (I love you).
At the last count, there are 57 sovereign states and 28 non-sovereign entities that regard English as their official language. Globally, it is now spoken by about 1.35 billion people.
Malaysians, generally those born before Merdeka and the immediate Baby Boomers thereafter, do have a good command of English. There was a time when some Britons in Malaya would even remark:”Jolly goodness, people here speak English much better English than the British themselves!” The same cannot be said for the majority of Malaysians now, especially some who are somewhat ambivalent or indecisive towards learning English to better equip themselves in life.
Interestingly, some usage of the English language has morphed into “Manglish” or Malaysian English slang having a smattering of Tamil. Malay, Chinese and English words like “Dei macha, take that parang and cut the pokok pisang at Amoi’s house” means “Hey, brother-in-law, take that machete and cut the banana tree at the girl’s house.”
Anyway, do take note of what was said by one of the world’s richest men, Warren Buffet: the more you learn, the more you earn. And this was repeated by a female Bidayuh pepper entrepreneur in a documentary shown by TVS, the Sarawakian-based television channel, recently.
Mark my words – the Sarawakians are going places by the end of this decade and beyond with their decision to strongly embrace English while not neglecting the national language! I can also envisage who will be left behind.
WE