Home Linguistics & Semiotics Chapter 3. Malaysian English
Chapter
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

Chapter 3. Malaysian English

  • Azirah Hashim and Rachel Siew Kuang Tan
View more publications by John Benjamins Publishing Company
To Publisher Page
English in Southeast Asia
This chapter is in the book English in Southeast Asia

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the status of Malaysian English (MalE) and discusses the phonological, grammatical and lexical features of this variety. It begins by giving the socio-historical and socio-political context in which this variety is found, illustrating the cultural diversity of and regional differences in the country. Features of pronunciation, grammar and lexis are described and exemplified. This is done firstly by providing a description of the vowels, consonants and suprasegmental features found. Secondly, structural nativization at the grammatical level is discussed focussing on noun phrase structure and verb phrase structure. Thirdly, lexis in MalE is highlighted and categorised according to whether they are globally known or locally known, used formally of informally, their ethnic origin as well as their currency.

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the status of Malaysian English (MalE) and discusses the phonological, grammatical and lexical features of this variety. It begins by giving the socio-historical and socio-political context in which this variety is found, illustrating the cultural diversity of and regional differences in the country. Features of pronunciation, grammar and lexis are described and exemplified. This is done firstly by providing a description of the vowels, consonants and suprasegmental features found. Secondly, structural nativization at the grammatical level is discussed focussing on noun phrase structure and verb phrase structure. Thirdly, lexis in MalE is highlighted and categorised according to whether they are globally known or locally known, used formally of informally, their ethnic origin as well as their currency.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Acknowledgements ix
  4. Abbreviations xi
  5. Introduction 1
  6. Chapter 1. Theoretical issues 13
  7. Part I. Features
  8. Chapter 2. Singapore English 35
  9. Chapter 3. Malaysian English 55
  10. Chapter 4. Brunei English 75
  11. Chapter 5. Philippine English 91
  12. Chapter 6. Thai English 101
  13. Chapter 7. Hong Kong English 113
  14. Part II. Policy (Historical context & language planning)
  15. Chapter 8. The development of English in Singapore 137
  16. Chapter 9. Pragmatics of maintaining English in Malaysia’s education system 155
  17. Chapter 10. Language planning in its historical context in Brunei Darussalam 175
  18. Chapter 11. Diffusion and directions 189
  19. Chapter 12. The effect of policy on English language teaching at secondary schools in Thailand 207
  20. Chapter 13. Language policy and planning in Hong Kong 221
  21. Part III. Language in use
  22. Chapter 14. English in Southeast Asian law 241
  23. Chapter 15. The view from below 267
  24. Chapter 16. Curriculum and world Englishes 289
  25. Chapter 17. English in Southeast Asian pop culture 307
  26. Chapter 18. Language use in the construction of interpersonal relationships 325
  27. Chapter 19. Transfers of politeness strategies 343
  28. Part IV. Bibliography
  29. Chapter 20. Works on English in Southeast Asia 357
  30. Author index 383
  31. Subject index 389
https://doi.org/10.1075/veaw.g42.07has

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Acknowledgements ix
  4. Abbreviations xi
  5. Introduction 1
  6. Chapter 1. Theoretical issues 13
  7. Part I. Features
  8. Chapter 2. Singapore English 35
  9. Chapter 3. Malaysian English 55
  10. Chapter 4. Brunei English 75
  11. Chapter 5. Philippine English 91
  12. Chapter 6. Thai English 101
  13. Chapter 7. Hong Kong English 113
  14. Part II. Policy (Historical context & language planning)
  15. Chapter 8. The development of English in Singapore 137
  16. Chapter 9. Pragmatics of maintaining English in Malaysia’s education system 155
  17. Chapter 10. Language planning in its historical context in Brunei Darussalam 175
  18. Chapter 11. Diffusion and directions 189
  19. Chapter 12. The effect of policy on English language teaching at secondary schools in Thailand 207
  20. Chapter 13. Language policy and planning in Hong Kong 221
  21. Part III. Language in use
  22. Chapter 14. English in Southeast Asian law 241
  23. Chapter 15. The view from below 267
  24. Chapter 16. Curriculum and world Englishes 289
  25. Chapter 17. English in Southeast Asian pop culture 307
  26. Chapter 18. Language use in the construction of interpersonal relationships 325
  27. Chapter 19. Transfers of politeness strategies 343
  28. Part IV. Bibliography
  29. Chapter 20. Works on English in Southeast Asia 357
  30. Author index 383
  31. Subject index 389
Sign up now to receive a 20% welcome discount
Institutional Access
How does access work?
Have an idea on how to improve our website?
Please write us.
© 2025 De Gruyter Brill
Downloaded on 31.12.2025 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1075/veaw.g42.07has/html
Scroll to top button