Malaysian Slang

One of the uniqueness of malaysia is the usage of slang.

Here is a comic strip to begin with

Manglish is basically English with a unique fusion of words from Malay, Chinese and Indian languages. It shares substantial linguistic similarities with Singaporean English (Singlish). Speakers of Manglish tend to intersperse varying amounts of expressions and interjections from their mother tongue, which in some cases qualify as a form of code-switching. Sentences may be constructed using English words in the syntax of another language.

These are some example on how our Malaysian Manglish differs with the British English:

Asking someone to make way

Britons: Excuse me, I’d like to get by. Would you please make way for me?

Malaysians: S-kews / squeeze me, please.

Asking someone to find out what had happened

Britons: Will someone please tell me what has just happened?

Malaysians: What happenleh? Why like that one?

When asking for permission

Britons: Excuse me, but do you think it would be possible for me to enter through this door?

Malaysians: (pointing at the door) Can enter ah?

When assessing a difficult situation

Britons: Hmmm. We appear to be in a bit of a predicament at the moment.

Malaysians: Ayoh! Die-lah! Mati loh?

When declining an offer

Britons: If you don’t mind, I’d prefer not to do that.

Malaysians: I don’t want lah.

In disagreeing on a topic of discussion

Britons: If you don’t mind, Timothy, I do have to interrupt, and I must say I have to disagree with you about this issue.

Malaysians: What stupid idea! You mad and crazy ah?

When asking somebody if he/she knows you

Britons: Excuse me, but you seem to be staring at me. Have we met before?

Malaysians: Why you look at me like that? See what?

When someone is angry

Britons: Would you mind not shouting at me?

Malaysians: Cilakak! You no manners or what man!

So now you know more about Malaysian slang. Hope you enjoyed your read.

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