Manglish - Definition: Officially and On-the-streets

Definition: Officially and On-the-streets

On the streets, Manglish is short for Malaysian English, a unique dialect of English spoken in Malaysia.

Due to the multi-language environment, the English language in Malaysia has evolved into a creole with her own phonology, lexicon and grammar.

There is no reference to the English being used in Malaysia, as Malaysian English, even from the English daily newspapers. Naturally, there are some differences of contemporary words used between Malaysia and the United Kingdom as they are continents apart and each has their own media. However, they are not so distinctly apart and established that English in Malaysia needs to be recognised as Malaysian English. The use of Manglish is discouraged at schools, where only Malaysian Standard English is taught.

Malaysia continually strives to refer to authorities of British English but also accepts that American English influence is becoming increasingly apparent. Hence, Malaysia has no intention of formulating its own English or coming up with its own dictionary, unlike some English-speaking Commonwealth states like Australia.

There is no such term as Malaysian English in any official context except for the ever-changing school curriculum modules in attempts to improve the command of English but without going into advanced lessons. Call it English 112, English for Primary Students, Malaysian English, Conversational English etc. but "Malaysian English" is not an official dialect of English. On the streets, Manglish is just "Malaysian English" just as Singlish is Singaporean English.

It is however, possible to speak Manglish/Singlish without substituting English words with that from another language.