The Influence of Indonesian Words on Bahasa Malaysia and the Role of MABBIM
Language is a dynamic and evolving concept, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and interaction between neighboring regions. One notable example is the incorporation of Indonesian words into Bahasa Malaysia, often referred to as Malay. This article explores this linguistic phenomenon, the reasons behind it, and the role of MABBIM (Majlis Bahasa Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia) in standardizing these languages.
Historical and Cultural Interactions
Indonesian and Bahasa Malaysia share a common linguistic root, making it easy for words to cross the border due to historical and cultural interactions. These interactions have been significant, especially in the fields of education, technology, and tourism, contributing to the widespread use of Indonesian words in Bahasa Malaysia. Some common Indonesian words that have been integrated into Bahasa Malaysia include:
Kampus (Campus) Universitas (University) Buku (Book) Kota (City) Pendidikan (Education)These words, along with many others, illustrate the linguistic and cultural exchange between the two regions.
The Shared Language Roots: BI and BM
While Bahasa Indonesia (BI) and Bahasa Malaysia (BM) share a common linguistic base, they have evolved differently over time. BI is rich with Javanese influences, while BM has incorporated words from the local Malay dialects. The official standardization of the language, known as Bahasa Baku, further emphasizes these differences. The incorporation of Dutch and other languages into BI is not uncommon, and as the standardization progresses, more words may be added if all users find them comfortable to use.
The realization of Bahasa Nusantara, a unified language for the Asean community, is an ambitious goal in the horizon. This could potentially lead to the unification of Bahasa Indonesia and Bahasa Malaysia, though significant work is still required.
Integrating New Words: The Role of MABBIM
To standardize and promote the use of these languages, organizations such as MABBIM play a crucial role. MABBIM, the Majlis Bahasa Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia, is responsible for coordinating and promoting the use of these languages. Established to enhance the standardization and usage of Malay languages, MABBIM aims to maintain a common linguistic identity for the region.
One of the significant contributions of MABBIM is the introduction of new words into Bahasa Malaysia and Bahasa Indonesia. These words are vetted and approved, and their usage is encouraged to ensure linguistic unity:
Suri Teladan (Role Model) Jerayawara (Road Show) Latar Pentas (Back Drop) Gegantung (Bunting) Imej Tumpu (Highlight) Imej Tumpu (Highlight) Parkir (Parking) Pascanilai (Postmortem) Swafoto (Selfie) Kira Detik (Count Down) Bilik Acu (Fitting Room) Ujana Teh (Garden Tea) Persantaian (Resort)These words are updated annually and are officially gazetted, ensuring their consistent use in official and vernacular contexts.
Understanding and appreciating the linguistic interactions between Bahasa Malaysia and Indonesian is essential for fostering a stronger cultural and linguistic identity within the Asean region. Through the efforts of organizations like MABBIM, the realization of Bahasa Nusantara is a step closer to becoming a reality.