My Anthem

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

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?

13 comments:

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chong y l said...

Dear Sab & kyels:
SOS! SOS!
I thought you were tasked with taking care of THOSE racketeers via your PASAR MALAM site!

I've removed two clearly Marketing Comments earlier since I saw no cheques in AUSD accompanying the flags. Maybe we use some legalese on them --
CEASE and DESIST, PROMTO!


Maybe they don't undersatnd OUR HIGH-STANDARD English used here? Let's wait and see, or should it be saw!

Sabrina Tan said...

hi desi

i have no idea why your place is suddenly flooded with these marketing schemes. hmm..i have no idea what happened really...and no idea wht to do really...
speaking of Marketing, i was pretty pissed off by Malaysia Airlines today.
their customer service reps are horrible, even in NZ!!! i just told them off sternly over the phone.
perhaps they should learn not to step on Sab's toes, even though i might appear to be nice...muahaha..
just a threat...
:)

Wuching said...

hi there,

thanks for ur comment, i'm very certain the virus came from him becoz i left him a new email address which i've just set up...really i don't want to delve deeper into this, i wanna continue to blog happily!

ciao!

chong y l said...

Hi Sab:

No worries. We have better things to do than let these marketing ppl divert our attn & resources. I already spied ONE similar attack at thy Place earlier! Maybe these guys are envious of our plan for OUR I-LAND?

Well, Keep on blogging&rocking. Cheers!

chong y l said...

Wu Ching:

Thanks for visiting and quick response!

Ne'er mind, we'll get on with our journey. ENJOY! Regards and one teh tarik for thy first visit here!
Regards.

Anonymous said...

Hi Desi,

Me don't know what is wrong with those Marketing spams too. They've been flooding your blog since yesterday. Geez.

I wanna go to our I-Land! I want. I want.

Well, it's true that Msians need to brush up on their English Language because we are not up to the world standard yet as many Msians still can't comprehend English that well.

Let it be our main language! Tee hee. Lols.

Cheers!

Anonymous said...

Hi Sab,

I guess those people are not professional enough. It happens all the time. Geez.

Rude, not professional... Arghh!

chong y l said...

kyels:

I know you also posted on the English language & National language; I'm going to Playgiarythm yours and mine for use at another venue.

Sound marketing -- maybe those marketing spammers can offer Desi each AUSD1million each and we'll offer them PR status at OUR I-LAND with one unit space to sell their wares&services -- there we're all catered for! And we'll achieve our target of RM20 million in triple-quick time.

Now, adjourn to think about that NaMa! to go with Woo hoo!

Howsy said...

You're just giving Hishamuddin the benefit of the doubt here and you're sure this is not another marketing ploy? He might just want to push up the sales of NST to reach more readers in order to propagate his UMNO propaganda and spin-doctoring. I keep my fingers-crossed for his sincere call.

chong y l said...

HOWSY:

A good point of view ehre.

Me being trained as a journalist, now as a diarist, I want to capture these politicians/govt leaders' words on record, and hold them accountable.

My of us, including myself, a reader of mine, mitochondria, have indeeed become "tired of being tired" with many of these politicians NOT -- "walking the talk", as wished for by the PM. I can understand your cynicism; many a time Desi has similarly grown as like you -- but sometimes if people such as Hisham want to make amends. let's give them a chance.

Let's just wait and see before the next GE -- maybe that's when the Rakyat hand in the report cards, it's better be thorough and critical... othwise, my EsteemedReaders and Desi might just have to adjourn to OUR I-LAND of fantasy.

Howsy, thanks for thy reminder. After nailing himself hallf to the cross with his own keris at the PWTC recently, let's give Hishama chance for redemption, OK? That's Desi's rhetorical question, but you are always welcome to add another few sen worth. THE I-LAND's cash register needs it!