Language & Ethnic Identity.ppt

7/26/2019 Language & Ethnic Identity.ppt

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Mohammed H. Al- Aqad Nael F M Hijjo

[email protected] [email protected]

Faculty of Languages and Linguistics

University of Malaya
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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cStKw88http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFXx
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFXx88cStKwhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFXx88cStKwhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFXx88cStKwhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFXx88cStKwhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFXx88cStKwhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFXx88cStKw


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Abstract

This paper investigates the linguistic status of Malaysian from Arabdescent of the South China Sea coastal communities focusing on language

as an ethnic identifier. The paper provides better understanding of theMalaysian coastal communities from Arab descent in terms of languageshift and language maintenance.

Moreover, the study offers an explanation of the relationship between twophenomena of language shift, the ethnicity and identity of Malayness andArabness.

Historically, Arabs especially of Hadhramidescent or Hadhramaut (Arabic:,) came from the Republic of Yemen on the Arabian Peninsulaarrived to Malaysia Peninsula five centuries ago and played a significantrole in the Malay society. These people of Hadhramaut are called

Hadhramisand speakHadhramiArabic, which is almost the same but withdifferent accent.Hadhramislive in South China Sea coastal states such asKelantan, Kedah, Terengganu, Pahang and Johor.

They are very well-known in Malaysia as academics, Islamic scholars,professional practitioners, political leaders, businessmen/women andintellectuals; beside other occupations in various levels in the society.

Moreover, some of them are also members of loyal families in Perak &

Melacca


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The History of Arab (Hadramis) in Malaysia.

The Hadhrami (Arabic: ,sing.) or Hadharem (Arabic:

,pl.) are people inhabiting the Hadhramaut region in Yemenand their descendants in diaspora communities around the world.They speak Hadhrami Arabic, which belongs to the Semitic branchof the Afro-Asiatic family.

As representatives of the pure source of Islam, Arab immigrantscommanded a natural respect in nineteenth century in SoutheastAsia, particularly if they were Sayyids. Isolated Arabs had madetheir way east since the seventeenth century, and become extremelyinfluential in such states as Atjeh, Siak, Palembang, and Ponti- anak.Larger-scale emigration from the impoverished Hadhramaut began

at the end of the eighteenth century, affecting Sumatra first, andJava by the middle of the nineteenth century. Their numberremained relatively small. Netherlands India counted 20,500

persons claiming Arab descent in 1885 and 29,000 in 1905.


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Hadramis have a long history of contact with South and South-EastAsia; most probably dating back to the pre-Islamic and early Islamicdays. Mainly through the trade in spices and incense.

It is in the 13th Century onwards, that large waves of Hadhramismigrated to Malaysia; especially in the 17th, 18th and 19thCenturies. Apart from trading, the Hadharem were missionaries too;

preaching and spreading Islam. Most went on to marry converted

Muslim women and settled in many parts of Malaysia. With time,Hadhramis became some of the leading scholars, academics andleaders in their newly adapted homeland. Being excellentmerchants, as few as they are, Hadhramis were very influentialtraders; and still they are.

When the history of South-East Asia is mentioned, many times therole of Hadhramis is ignored. But very few other people have leftsuch a deep, long lasting impact on Malaysia and many parts of that

part of Asia as the Hadharem.


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Today: the Hadharem of Malaysia, like people of other origins,

though totally Malaysian, maintain in many ways - their ancestralidentities, through religious and cultural occasions and celebrations.

Like in Saudi Arabia, Amman and many other parts of the world

where Hardhramis settled, a number of 'Hadhramout' restaurants can

be found in Malaysia, serving Hadrami and other Yemeni cuisines.

Any Arab visiting Malaysia feels very comfortable and very much

at home, not only because of Islam but also due to the strong

Hadhrami foundation and presence there. Go to Malaysia streets

nowadays and you will find thousands of Arab visitors, tourists,students and expatriates. Many Arabs from the Middle East are now

investing, trading and having second homes in Malaysia.


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The first fruit of this new attitude in Southeast Asia was probably a

mission from Mecca in 1881.

British agents in Arabia reported the departure for Singapore of two

Imams and a trader who "occupy so important position in the

Mohamedan world hence, their movements seldom fail to have a

political object.

Restrictions on the movement of Arabs were tightened and some

districts were banned to them altogether. It is particularly at this period at the end of the nineteenth century

that Holland gained the reputation among Muslims as the most

fanatical opponent of Islam.

Malays are automatically Muslims, according to the FederalConstitution of Malaysia, and Muslims are prohibited from leaving

Islam and converting to other religions. By law, Malays become

Muslims by birth, whether they like it or not, and once a Muslim

always a Muslim


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The case in its contemporary settings:

Taking religion as not only a spiritual but also a civil and politicalspace, Hadhramis are important historical figures in the building of

public institutions and the formation of modern states; they played avital role as diplomats in particular.

Today they remain active in the public affairs of the Malay world.For example, Syed Hamid Albar was appointed the minister offoreign affairs of Malaysia from 1999 to 2008when he was mademinister of home affairs for one year, and he leads many high

position in the Malaysian community.

Typically, these prominent figures did not discuss the Hadhramielement of their biographies, at least not in public.


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Tuanku Zara

Salim, the wife

of the Sultanof Perak, Raja

Dr Nazrin Shah

Neelofa Noor

Well-known

as Malaysianactressand TV

hoster

Sheikh Muszaphar

Shukor Al Masrie is

a Malaysianorthopaedic

surgeonand the first

Malaysian astronaut.

Tuanku Syed

Sirajuddin ibni

Tuanku Syed

Putra, is the

Raja Muda

(Crown Prince)

of the

Malaysian stateof Perlis.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perakhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raja_Nazrin_Shahhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raja_Nazrin_Shahhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neelofa_Noorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysianhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actresshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthopedic_surgeryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthopedic_surgeryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astronauthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astronauthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthopedic_surgeryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthopedic_surgeryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actresshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysianhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neelofa_Noorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raja_Nazrin_Shahhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raja_Nazrin_Shahhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raja_Nazrin_Shahhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raja_Nazrin_Shahhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perak


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Jan Stark (2007) in his article entitled Indian Muslims in

Malaysia: Images of Shifting Identities in the Multi-ethnic Statestated that The Arab-Malay minority has faced much lesserproblems in adjusting itself to the Malay-Muslim majority than theIndian Muslims. Both being rooted in Islam that has been perceivedas an Arab religion, particularly after the emergence of the

Islamic resurgence in the late nineteenth century and again in the1970s, as well as due to prestigious marriage alliances with Malayroyalty, the Arabs have been well-established in Malay society.Since it is much more profitable to be Malay both economicallyand politically, Malays of Arab descent have also established

alliances with Malay chambers of commerce and have beenadmitted to the UMNO. Especially since the Islamization of theUMNOs policies after Anwar Ibrahim was co-opted into theMahathir administration in 1982, Malays of Arab descents asmembers of the Al-Attas family have played an active role in the

creation of Islamic discourses.


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Abdullah Ahmad Badawi

TunAbdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi Arabic:

Abdullhibn aajjAmadBadaw; was born in Bayan Lepas,

Penang to a prominent religious family. Badawi's paternalgrandfather, Syeikh Abdullah Badawi Fahim, was of Arabdescent.Abdullahborn in 26 November 1939) is a Malaysian politician whoserved as prime minister from 2003 to 2009. He was also thePresident of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), thelargest political party in Malaysia, and led the governing Barisan

Nasional parliamentary coalition. He is called as the Father ofHuman Capital Development(Bapa Pembangunan Modal Insan).

Abdullah appointed by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as deputyprime minister. Abdullah went on to succeed Mahathir as primeminister in 2003.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malay_titleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabic_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayan_Lepashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syeikh_Abdullah_Fahimhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahathir_Mohamadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahathir_Mohamadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahathir_Mohamadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahathir_Mohamadhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syeikh_Abdullah_Fahimhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syeikh_Abdullah_Fahimhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syeikh_Abdullah_Fahimhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syeikh_Abdullah_Fahimhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syeikh_Abdullah_Fahimhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syeikh_Abdullah_Fahimhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayan_Lepashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayan_Lepashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabic_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malay_titles


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Syed Ahmad Syed Mahmud Shahabuddin

Tun Datuk Seri UtamaSyed Ahmad Al-Haj bin Syed Mahmud

Shahabuddin(4 May 19257 July 2008) was a Malaysian politician.

Syed Ahmad Hadhrami-Malaydescent; his Arab ancestors had

migrated from Hadhramautand settled in Kedah. He was the Menteri

Besar of Kedah from 1967 to 1978 and the fifth Yang di-PertuaNegeri(Governor) of Melakastate from 1984 until 2004. Syed Ahmad

was appointed as Deputy Minister, Ministry of Home Affairs (1978

1982).

Syed Ahmad had wide experience and actively engaged in politics. Hewas the Kedah UMNOAssistant Secretary (19511954), Secretary

Kedah UMNO (19541967), Chairman, UMNO State LiaisonCommittee and Kedah National Front (19671978), UMNO SupremeCouncil Member (19681978), and Deputy chairman, UMNO StateLiaison Committee and Kedah National Front (19781984).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malay_titleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadhrami_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malays_(ethnic_group)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadhramauthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yang_di-Pertua_Negerihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yang_di-Pertua_Negerihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melakahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UMNOhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UMNOhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melakahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yang_di-Pertua_Negerihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yang_di-Pertua_Negerihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yang_di-Pertua_Negerihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yang_di-Pertua_Negerihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yang_di-Pertua_Negerihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadhramauthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malays_(ethnic_group)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadhrami_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malay_titleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malay_titleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malay_titleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malay_titles


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Syed Mokhtar al-Bukhary

Tan SriSyed Mokhtar Shah bin Syed Nor Al-Bukhary(Arabic:

Sayyid Mutr h bin Sayyid Nr al-Bur; born1952)

Brief biography: Syed Mokhtar's success story is one of rags-to-riches.

Born into poverty in Alor Setar, Kedah, the 3rd of 7 children, to a middle-

low class Yemeni trader who settled down in Kedahduring the 1940s, Syed

Mokhtar's family was so poor that they lived in a wooden shed without asingle piece of furniture; not even a bed, table, or chair. As a young child,

he helped his mother to grow and sell vegetables and at the market. While

studying at St. Michael's Secondary School, Syed Mokhtar sold roti canaiat

the market to supplement the family's income.

Syed Mokhtar formed Bukhary (KL) Sdn Bhd in 1977to cash in on thelucrative government contracts awarded tobumiputeraentrepreneurs. He

converted the ground floor of the shop house into a packaging factory,

trading in rice, tea, cocoa powder, milk powder, palm oil.

Syed Mokhtar soon obtained a multi-million ringgit contract to supply

330,000 uniforms and 120,000 pairs of shoes to the Ministry of Defence.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malay_titleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabic_languagehttp://malaysiafactbook.com/Alor_Setarhttp://malaysiafactbook.com/Kedahhttp://malaysiafactbook.com/Kedahhttp://malaysiafactbook.com/1940shttp://malaysiafactbook.com/St._Michael%27s_Secondary_Schoolhttp://malaysiafactbook.com/Roti_canaihttp://malaysiafactbook.com/1977http://malaysiafactbook.com/Bumiputerahttp://malaysiafactbook.com/Ministry_of_Defencehttp://malaysiafactbook.com/Ministry_of_Defencehttp://malaysiafactbook.com/Bumiputerahttp://malaysiafactbook.com/1977http://malaysiafactbook.com/Roti_canaihttp://malaysiafactbook.com/Roti_canaihttp://malaysiafactbook.com/Roti_canaihttp://malaysiafactbook.com/St._Michael%27s_Secondary_Schoolhttp://malaysiafactbook.com/St._Michael%27s_Secondary_Schoolhttp://malaysiafactbook.com/St._Michael%27s_Secondary_Schoolhttp://malaysiafactbook.com/St._Michael%27s_Secondary_Schoolhttp://malaysiafactbook.com/St._Michael%27s_Secondary_Schoolhttp://malaysiafactbook.com/St._Michael%27s_Secondary_Schoolhttp://malaysiafactbook.com/St._Michael%27s_Secondary_Schoolhttp://malaysiafactbook.com/St._Michael%27s_Secondary_Schoolhttp://malaysiafactbook.com/1940shttp://malaysiafactbook.com/1940shttp://malaysiafactbook.com/Kedahhttp://malaysiafactbook.com/Kedahhttp://malaysiafactbook.com/Alor_Setarhttp://malaysiafactbook.com/Alor_Setarhttp://malaysiafactbook.com/Alor_Setarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabic_languagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malay_titleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malay_titleshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malay_titles


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Even when countries officially recognize

multilingualism, the vast majority of

languages are left unsupported andunrecognized Schools, govt, administration, business, etc.

will be conducted in a majority language

Most languages of the world today are indanger


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Each language has unique structure,grammatical categories, lexical items,discourse-marking devices, etc. These are

irreplaceable, part of the collective genius ofthe group. These can be lost, and translationcan never capture it all


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hanks

for listening

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Language & Ethnic Identity.ppt