1 Resources to Learn Malay for Free

About the Malay Language

Malay, or *Bahasa Melayu*, is a major Austronesian language spoken by over 40 million people primarily in Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and Singapore. It serves as a national and official language in Malaysia and Brunei, while being a recognized minority language in Singapore and southern Thailand. A close relative of Indonesian, it shares many similarities but remains distinct in vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural expressions.

Malay has ancient roots, originating in the Malay Archipelago. Its historical development has been influenced by many waves of contact with foreign cultures, from Indian traders and Arab merchants to European colonial powers. The language has borrowed words from Sanskrit, Arabic, Portuguese, Dutch, and English over the centuries, enriching its lexicon and making it a dynamic part of Southeast Asia’s linguistic landscape.

Written originally in Jawi, a script derived from Arabic, modern Malay is predominantly written in the Latin alphabet, especially since the 20th century. However, Jawi is still taught in schools and remains a part of the cultural heritage in certain contexts.

Malay is widely spoken in daily life across different regions and exists in multiple dialects, such as Kelantanese and Johorean Malay in Malaysia, which reflect local cultural identities. Its simplicity and relatively straightforward grammar make it an accessible language for many, and it serves as a lingua franca in Southeast Asia, facilitating communication among speakers of various indigenous languages.

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