Language is communication, be it written or spoken or signed. Here in Brunei we have the privilege of adapting the ‘Dwi-bahasa’ education system which gives everyone the opportunity to learn ‘Bahasa Melayu’ or the Malay language and the English language at the same time. I gave a lengthy explanation on language in an earlier post.
Language to me is a living organism. Living and breathing because almost every day a new word will be admitted into the dictionary as if feeding it to become a healthy person (to avoid gender bias).
Words borrowed from many other languages through the magic of globalisation and ‘customised’ to become ‘English’. This phenomenon happens not only in English but also in other languages. Even in the Malay language where we can hear English words crossing over to Malay.
On one side of the coin we have Ms Maurina contemplating the issue of the ‘Official Language’ in Brunei. Stated in black and white, Bahasa Melayu is the Official language of the Government of His Majesty.
Some or perhaps most would agree with Ms Maurina’s comments of not being able to practice the ‘Bahasa Beku’ with peers. You will one day, hopefully. Those who work in the Government, will once in a while, have to speak it with their superiors.
Being a linguist, one notes that a person who is able to switch between two or more codes is highly intelligent.
Bahasa Beku is spoken and written, used daily even and people who watch the news are exposed to this. Not unless one does not watch Berita Pukul 8 on RTB. I am fortunate to have a father who is a Language Officer at the Language and Literature Bureau. If I have ‘Malay’ related problems I can give him a call and he will help me out. I remembered when I was still undergoing my degree he would ask me if I’ve come across syntax, error analysis and linguistic related matters. We would discuss issues and it was a very good way of father – son bonding.
On the other hand OLS.com was making a remark on how Singapore needed to do a survey to identify that Singaporeans do not speak proper English. I also touched about this matter in an earlier post. I also made several references about Singapore because I did do a somewhat extensive language research about ‘Singlish’ while I was undertaking my degree in UBD.
I perhaps may be envious of the many Bruneians who have been fortunate enough to be awarded a scholarship to study abroad. I always dreamed of pursuing my degree abroad but I just was not lucky enough. No matter how much I wanted to leave Brunei back then, I don’t think I’ve regretted it till this day. Because if I did, I would have not met my future wife. Life works its magic in so many different ways.
I am one of the ‘other’ majority, who have gone through the ‘system’ till University and now working in our beloved abode of peace. I can proudly claim that I am ‘Made in Brunei’. I am proud of myself because I think I’ve acquired a good command of the English language without having to study abroad. My major was Teaching English as a Second Language – TESL.
This is because of the recent post by Mr BR which made me feel insecure and minuscule even though I hold a degree from UBD and not for a University from abroad. I do agree that Mr BR was sharing his experience but somehow I felt like I was at the bottom of the ‘food-chain’. My plea is that UBD undergrads which graduate by the thousand every year be recognised. UBD degree courses are amongst the toughest is the world.
Hope Mr BR is not offended by this. You are still one of my favourite reads first thing in the morning before I start work. I have the utmost respect for you Mr BR Sir.
Language to me is a living organism. Living and breathing because almost every day a new word will be admitted into the dictionary as if feeding it to become a healthy person (to avoid gender bias).
Words borrowed from many other languages through the magic of globalisation and ‘customised’ to become ‘English’. This phenomenon happens not only in English but also in other languages. Even in the Malay language where we can hear English words crossing over to Malay.
On one side of the coin we have Ms Maurina contemplating the issue of the ‘Official Language’ in Brunei. Stated in black and white, Bahasa Melayu is the Official language of the Government of His Majesty.
Some or perhaps most would agree with Ms Maurina’s comments of not being able to practice the ‘Bahasa Beku’ with peers. You will one day, hopefully. Those who work in the Government, will once in a while, have to speak it with their superiors.
Being a linguist, one notes that a person who is able to switch between two or more codes is highly intelligent.
Bahasa Beku is spoken and written, used daily even and people who watch the news are exposed to this. Not unless one does not watch Berita Pukul 8 on RTB. I am fortunate to have a father who is a Language Officer at the Language and Literature Bureau. If I have ‘Malay’ related problems I can give him a call and he will help me out. I remembered when I was still undergoing my degree he would ask me if I’ve come across syntax, error analysis and linguistic related matters. We would discuss issues and it was a very good way of father – son bonding.
On the other hand OLS.com was making a remark on how Singapore needed to do a survey to identify that Singaporeans do not speak proper English. I also touched about this matter in an earlier post. I also made several references about Singapore because I did do a somewhat extensive language research about ‘Singlish’ while I was undertaking my degree in UBD.
I perhaps may be envious of the many Bruneians who have been fortunate enough to be awarded a scholarship to study abroad. I always dreamed of pursuing my degree abroad but I just was not lucky enough. No matter how much I wanted to leave Brunei back then, I don’t think I’ve regretted it till this day. Because if I did, I would have not met my future wife. Life works its magic in so many different ways.
I am one of the ‘other’ majority, who have gone through the ‘system’ till University and now working in our beloved abode of peace. I can proudly claim that I am ‘Made in Brunei’. I am proud of myself because I think I’ve acquired a good command of the English language without having to study abroad. My major was Teaching English as a Second Language – TESL.
This is because of the recent post by Mr BR which made me feel insecure and minuscule even though I hold a degree from UBD and not for a University from abroad. I do agree that Mr BR was sharing his experience but somehow I felt like I was at the bottom of the ‘food-chain’. My plea is that UBD undergrads which graduate by the thousand every year be recognised. UBD degree courses are amongst the toughest is the world.
Hope Mr BR is not offended by this. You are still one of my favourite reads first thing in the morning before I start work. I have the utmost respect for you Mr BR Sir.
An Anatole France once said,
"To accomplish great things, we must not only act but also dream. Not
only plan but also believe."
2 comments:
my apologies if i offended you and the other ubdians by not mentioning ubd in my list of places in that post you referred. it wasn't meant to be an insult to any ubd students. during my time, you have to remember that ubd didn't exist and choices for degree courses were all abroad. of course choices today include not just ubd but the myriad of other colleges here in brunei. i enjoyed my time at ubd when i did my four months executive development program last year and i have many friends who taught there and many young colleagues who graduated from there. in my 20 year experience, i can assure you, when you start working, it doesn't really matter where you come from but what's important is how you do your work. you will be judged from that. so please, to all ubdians, think positive. and my apologies once again.
My apologies Mr BR Sir. Perhaps I was venting out frustration about the past but bygones be bygone.
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