Words Only Used in Malaysian English
Malaysian English has its own vocabulary which comes from a variety of influences. Typically, for words or phrases that are based on other English words, the Malaysian English speaker may be unaware that the word or phrase is not present in British or American English.
| Malaysian | British / American |
|---|---|
| handphone (often abbreviated to HP) | mobile phone or cell phone |
| public telephone or public phone | payphone |
| Malaysian Chinese, Malaysian Indian | Chinese Malaysian, Indian Malaysian |
| keep in view (often abbreviated to KIV) | kept on file, held for further consideration |
| MC (medical certificate) | sick note |
| mee (from Hokkien word mi) | noodles |
| bank in (cheque) | deposit a cheque |
Many words of Malay origin have made it into the standard form of Malaysian English used in the media, literature and formal speech. For example, Menteri Besar (Malay for Chief Minister) even has a plural form in English - Menteris Besar. The suffix lah, a very common feature in Manglish, is not considered standard in Malaysian English.
Read more about this topic: Malaysian English
Famous quotes containing the words words and/or english:
“For words are wise men’s counters, they do but reckon by them; but they are the money of fools, that value them by the authority of an Aristotle, a Cicero, or a Thomas, or any other doctor whatsoever, if but a man.”
—Thomas Hobbes (1579–1688)
““Mustn’t grumble” was the most English of expressions. English patience was mingled inertia and despair. What was the use? But Americans did nothing but grumble! Americans also boasted. “I do some pretty incredible things” was not an English expression. “I’m fairly keen” was not American. Americans were showoffs—it was part of our innocence—we often fell on our faces; the English seldom showed off, so they seldom looked like fools.”
—Paul Theroux (b. 1941)