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All Journal UC Journal: ELT, Linguistics and Literature Journal
Ong, Teresa Wai See
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Arts Humanities Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

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LANGUAGE SHIFT AMONG MIDDLE-AGE AND OLDER CHINESE DESCENDANTS IN PENANG, MALAYSIA: A BITTER SWEET TALE Ong, Teresa Wai See; Troyer, Robert A.
UC Journal: ELT, Linguistics and Literature Journal Vol 5, No 2 (2024): November 2024
Publisher : Sanata Dharma University, Yogyakarta

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.24071/uc.v5i2.8628

Abstract

Chinese heritage languages play a vital role in the lives of the Chinese-Malaysian community because they act as important markers of their heritage identity. However, due to globalisation and modernisation processes taking place at present-day, the global language, Mandarin Chinese, has begun to take over the role of Chinese heritage languages, particularly among the younger generation of ethnic Chinese in Malaysia. Little is known about how this shift is affecting the middle-age and older generations who are used to communicating in Chinese heritage languages. Hence, this study examines the language practices of middle-age and older ethnic Chinese living in Penang, a state with a long-standing history of Chinese settlement. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted with 43 participants. The findings show that language shift is evident among both generations as they adapt to the present trend of speaking Mandarin Chinese with family members, particularly the younger generation. However, they switch back to Chinese heritage languages during communication among their own generation. This study concludes that such language shift and accommodation is detrimental to the Chinese-Malaysian community as they face losing their heritage languages in the near future.
CHINESE COMMUNITY LANGUAGE MAINTENANCE: PERCEPTIONS OF AND EFFORTS MADE BY YOUNG MALAYSIANS IN PENANG Ong, Teresa Wai See
UC Journal: ELT, Linguistics and Literature Journal Vol 6, No 2 (2025): November 2025
Publisher : Sanata Dharma University, Yogyakarta

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.24071/uc.v6i2.13205

Abstract

In the present era, minority/less dominant languages are spoken lesser and lesser due to language shift that is taking place. This situation is worrying because these languages are facing endangerment. Hence, it urges for a call to examine people’s perceptions of speaking them and efforts to maintain them. Using the Chinese community in Penang, Malaysia as a case study, this study investigates the stated issues. Data collection took place in 2016 with 22 young Malaysians aged 20-40 years old. A semi-structured interview was conducted with the participants and the transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal that the participants are keen about the continuation of speaking Chinese community languages due to three main reasons: (i) Chinese community languages are a representation of history and family roots, (ii) speaking to them represents possessing multiple identities and (iii) they act as a living culture. They reported that many efforts were made to maintain the continuous usage of Chinese community languages. This study concludes that youth need to be engaged with those efforts to ensure that the Chinese community languages do not disappear in the future. This can be done by including the use of digital technology in those efforts.  
Co-Authors Troyer, Robert A.