Malay vs. English

Its been a long time since I updated my blog. I was busy with some wedding preparation, the curtain, the bedsheet, the easel and the veil. I will story about that later. Now I want to write about how I use Malay language and felt ashamed after using it. Nothing much, it happened when I asked a vendor about the glass jar for my doorgift. I picked up the phone and straight away dial the number. The catalog of the product was in front of me. So I started speaking in Malay and it wasn't smooth!

So utterly weird!

When the chinese lady asked what is the code number for the product I want, I stuttered. Same goes when I asked further question. At that moment, I was thinking oh this can't be how I can't talk smoothly when talking in my own language.

So I spoke with the lady in english. It went smooth.

Weird?

Not really.

Why?

It is the nature of my job. When I wanted to ask something about the job or something formal, I used English language. Purchasing something is part of the formal thing so that explains when I used English language it went smooth.

But why I can't speak Malay in formal. I feel embarrass. Don't get me wrong. I am not talking about how I can speak in English fluently. No I'm not. It just how I can't speak in FORMAL Malay language fluently. I am so fluent in the usual everyday casual Malay by the way.

I learned about formal Malay language back then in school. It wasn't that long. Other than practicing speaking in English, I think I should also practice speaking in formal Malay language. It is to enrich my Malay language and also not to make me feel embarrass.

On other note, I was watching Buletin Utama last two days and I was amazed with how our leaders (regardless who are them) spoke to the Media. The word they used were superb.

Erh.

Saya harus pergi sekarang.

Jumpa lagi.

Selamat tinggal.

Assalamualaikum.

* nice try