WE are right behind our Chief Minister on having the English language used in official correspondence and communication in Sarawak.
The fact is, we have already been using the English language in official dealings for a number of years. The English language is also used in State Legislative Assembly sittings.
And yes, as the Chief Minister has pointed out, proficiency in the English language will definitely give Sarawakians an edge in propelling us towards progress.
After seeing postings of examples of the atrocious use of the language in the peninsula, we in Sarawak are even more determined to do our very best to brush up on our command of the language and encourage its use.
Examples such as DBKL’s gaffe in welcoming the President of the United States, and some wholesale guys proudly declaring themselves as a “hole sealer” drove home the point as to why we should place emphasis on encouraging the proper use of the English language.
Also, no thank you, we will pass on a serving of ‘scissors salad’, if you don’t mind.
Social and Cultural Affairs advisor Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim’s statement on the use of English potentially creating disunity between Peninsular and East Malaysia is unfathomable.
If anything, the ability to communicate in more than one language encourages unity.
Eye wrote two weeks ago about the advantages of being multilingual, and why we in Sarawak are proud to be able to speak more than three languages, English included. This, among many other factors, is what ties us together in unity.
As the country heads towards its goal of being a developed country, we open doors to investors and multinational companies.
Do the federal departments not correspond and communicate with these foreign investors in English? If not English, what do language do they use? What language are agreements and MoUs that Malaysia signs with foreign investors written in? Greek?
Do we not sign international treaties? Are these not part of our official correspondence and communication as well?
So why can’t government departments (particularly those that handle investment, technology, science and medical matters) communicate and correspond with one another in English as well?
It is, as our Chief Minister says practical. English is an international language. It is also the language of medicine, science and technology.
Perhaps those who do not see the practicality of using the English language should try to translate a piece of technical writing or a medical manuscript into the Malay language. This brings the Eye to the signboard blunder in Terengganu, which took place in February this year.
The Kuala Terengganu City Council had put up a sign saying, “Bahaya. Kawasan ini tidak selamat untuk mandi atau berenang.” It was translated into English as “Danger. This region did not survive to bathe or swim.”
The sign wasn’t even technical and they already had problems with the translation.
Clearly, the critics from the peninsula fail to see the use of the English language beyond just communicating with the people.
Look before you leap, the saying goes. These critics did not look. They just leapt, without truly listening to and understanding what our Chief Minister had to say. The critics argued that should official correspondence be in English, the people in the interior would be at a disadvantage as they are more comfortable communicating in Malay.
You’d be surprised, dear critics, that there are many in the far reaches of Sarawak who speak English better than those in the urban areas of the peninsula.
Many have, in the past had contact with missionaries,volunteers the likes of the Peace Corps, and visiting naturalists who taught them the language.
Did our Chief Minister say that English would replace the Malay language in official communication?
Nope. Really, some people have to brush up on their listening (or should we say, reading) skills.
What the Chief Minister said was that it would be to our advantage to be bilingual. The Malay language will still be used, of course.
So, where common sense stands, we in Sarawak will know when we should correspond in English and when to do so in Malay.
We love it when our leaders here not only address the people in English or Malay, but are quite adept at speaking Bahasa Sarawak, Iban, Melanau, Bidayuh and a range of Orang Ulu languages and dialects.
PS, Eye used the word ‘adept’. Eye hope that these critics know the difference between ‘adapt’ and ‘adept’.
The bottom line, we should not see the use of the English language as a threat. It is an opportunity to open doors to the world, a chance to grow and to learn. Books and writings in English on every topic imaginable are available in book stores and on the World Wide Web.
After all, what do you lose from using the English language alongside our own mother tongue and national language? Nothing, but there’s everything to gain.
Comments can reach the writer via [email protected].