Bahasa Melayu

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Found a great forum to help you learn how to cakap bahasa Melayu: http://pgoh13.com/lesson2bahasa.php

Cupert

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Thanks Cupert,

A great site


Spider

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I love this article 

The Unique-LAH

This is unique to Malaysian only-lah. Eh.. what's the suffix "lah" doing at the
end of the sentence?

You may find it is quite confusing, at first. These people are speaking English
but what the heck is that strange musical note at the end of their sentences?

When you speak to a Malaysian, you may notice the suffix "lah" that often occurs
in conversation. "lah" is a suffix in Bahasa Melayu that is meant to add emphasis to a word or phrase.

For example, "Just do it" is "Buat sahaja" in our language. But it will be more
forceful if you add the suffix "lah".

"Buat sahaja-lah".

The suffix "lah" is so natural in their tongue that we even adopt it when speaking
English. "Just do it" becomes "Just do it-lah"

Only a Malaysian born and bred in this country will know how to use the "lah". *so the article claims*

Here is a tip. Don't add a "lah" to the end of every sentence - thinking that 
you are making a good impression of a Malaysian accent. Trust me, you will not
get away with that.

The use of "lah" is quite an art for those who were not born into the language.

Here are a few sophisticated variations of its use:

"No fun-lah, you!" (You're really no fun at all!)
"You see-lah, like that also you cannot do!" (Can't you even do such a simple
thing?)
Stuck-lah! It has become a part and parcel of our life and will remain that way
for a very long time. (wink!)

Here are a few simple variations that you can try to use.

      Apologise       Sorry-lah
      Fed up            Enough-lah
      Definite          Of course-lah or sure-lah
      Generous        Take some more-lah
      Unyielding      Cannot-lah
      Reluctant         Don't want-lah!
      Suggesting      Try-lah
      Agreeable         Okay-lah
      Coaxing            Come on-lah
      Persuading        Please-lah

Still can't get a hang of it?

Relax-lah! Practise makes perfect.

P/S:

Relax-lah or steady-lah is used when someone is getting a little uptight about
something.

Like you - learning to use the suffix "lah". Just kidding!

These words urges the person (in this case, you!) to calm down / cool off.

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I really love this article! 

It is all about Manglish aka Malaysian English.

MANGLISH (Malaysian English) : A guide for the Uninformed...

What we say                  What we mean
Why are you so boring?

Why you so boring?                   Why are you so bored?
         
I am interesting.
I got interest lah.                   I am interested.

I will send you to the airport.   I will take you to the airport.

Follow me!
(and walks to his own car)    Follow me in your own car.

I follow your car.                    I will follow (go with) you in your car.

You are so sensitive.   You take offense too easily.

You so thick skin one.   You are so insensitive.

You so glamour tonight.   You are so glamorous tonight.

Just now.                                    Awhile ago

This is my rubber.                   This is my eraser.

I am very black.                   I have a dark skin tone.

This business can run.
This business can do.   This business is viable.

Cannot talk anymore-lah!   Cannot bargain anymore (lah).

Let's meet at the 'longe'.   Let's meet at the lounge (not launch).

The lolly cannot run.                  The lorry/truck has broken down.

*Yes, we do have a unique way of using the English Language. Of course, not all Malaysians speak this way all the time. The examples here are based on observation. Somehow we manage to understand each other; but I really wonder whether visitors to our country fully understand what we are saying. It is all in good fun and I hope we have not offended anyone as it is not our intention to offend. *