Some common sense on ENGLISH, finally!

I was gladdened by today's NST page one leap jumping at me as I sip my teh tarik and mee-soup:

'We should not be shy to say English is a Malaysian language' -- Hishamuddin

If our Government ministers and officials play less politics and concentrate on the our national problems and issues, DESIDERATA may weep less over this channel, along with many of Desi's EsteemedReaders, and gladly surrender their tears to hopes and laughter.

EDUCATION Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein, his arms around students of Kuala Lumpur's SMK Taman Medan as they browse through the New Straits Times, urges them to regain mastery of the language.
This, Hishamuddin said, would be vital in assuring their future prospects.
"Our children mus understand that they should and can learn English. They have every right to excel in it."(Emphasis is mine.)

Desiderata salutes the honourable minister's visionary statement. It acknowledges the reality that language is just a tool, and the English language is an excellent tool as an international lingua franca in this Internet and Information Age as well as a Globalised World. (Read August 12's LANGUAGE, EXQUISITE AND PROFANE.)

Malaysia lost a "whole generation" of English-proficient citizens when the language was demoted to no-man's land in the hierarchy of things to replace the medium of instruction in schools and tertiary institutions with Bahasa Malaysia. At one time, Malaysians ranked among Indians, Singaporeans, and even the British, as speakers and participants at international forums and United Nations bodies.

Desiderata felt that in one fell swoop, the best heritage left us by the colonial masters became a near fossilised relic beginning in the early 1970s until wisdom came back lately into Malaysian leaders' minds. Well, better late than never, I guess.

I was serving at a foreign diplomatic mission in Kuala Lumpur for some 12 years in the 1980s/90s and even during that time, the then Foreign Minister had lamented that Malaysian diplomats abroad were no more at the forefront of speaking up at international fora. The reason -- most of them felt inadequate communicating in English -- even at evening receptions on the diplomatic circuits, Malaysians lost their edge because of this language deficiency.

The then FM GHAZALI SHAFIE or "King Ghaz" as commonly called, held court at many international forums -- not only because of his intellect, but because his English language was exquisite, and superb. I might disagree with some of his politics, but I must give him credit where it's due in this Department. Well, our present Prime Minister too, but his is less dynamic, and his oratorical skills paled in comparision with that King!

Maybe just mayhaps,in 20 years' time started three years ago when English was being given emphasis in schools again, Malaysia may catch up with its neighbour -- SINGAPORE -- in using English on the international stage again, with prominence and confidence -- whether promoting tarde, tourism or cultural exchange. Whethe one likes it or not, the Intenet is dominated by the English language as the main medium of communication. Yes, reality sucks sometimes, and it is nothing to do with nationalism or patriotism, just in case some quarters may start throwing tantrums here and there. We need to master English to be competitive again on the world marketplace, as well as playing a more influential role in the diplomatic arena, Muslim, non-Muslim, Western, Eastern or Mid-Eastern, or even in Eskimo land. Even China the awakened dragon has latched on! Well, as for India, it has already produced a few Nobel laureates writing in that language.

Hishamuddin, I'm right there with you on being not shy about claiming English as "our own language."Bahasa Malaysia, as the national language, will always have its premium place in our hearts. Let no Malaysians use this yardstick to measure patriotism or hold it against any fellow Malaysian.

Patriotism is to advance Our Country -- "NEGARAKU, TANAH TUMPAHNYA DARAHKU..." -- it's not about flag-waving alone, though this has a role to play, or singing the National Anthem, at the right place, at the right time. It's winning the hearts and minds of ALL MALAYSIANS young and old, makcik, pakcik, across gender, colour and creed. And this cultivation of Love for Country must start from childhood, starting them young is the best, for that's the age when language learning and grasping is the most natural and flowing -- swimmingly? -- and for once, I see COMMON SENSE RULES.

There is hope yet for MY COUNTRY, YOUR COUNTRY, OUR COUNTRY. Desi is affected by National Day spirit just 15 days away.

PS: I still have three slots for that SERIES OF ESSAYS CHALLENGE on "THE MALAYSIAN DILEMMA" -- any takers? I plan for SEVEN, strating on August 25, with one each day examining an aspect or two of the Malaysian Dilemma. How about it, mGf and myGf-to-B?
Update: Sabrina Tan has sent in two articles, Young kyels has one, and desi is hatching one, which makes it the FamousFour. Three teh tariks or more for another THREE, ANYONE?