Many might be asking, what's Baba and Nyonya or some might call it Peranakan. To learn more about the heritage you can google it here.
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Today's post is to learn about the language. Being a half breed baba has its pros and cons. Firstly, being a Baba, I've mastered the Malay language. How?? Coz I converse in our traditional language at home most of the time. Many of my friends gave me a puzzled look whenever they are around, and by the smirky look on their faces, I can tell they're contemplating whether my mom was stabbing behind their back or otherwise. The bad news is, since my father passed on, I hardly spent time with my father's side of the family, hence the broken Chinese language. But of course, we always learn the foul language first. That.....I've mastered since childhood. Hey...it's really not a bad thing. You're still learning the language what???
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Anyways, the Baba and Nyonya language is a combination of the Malay language as well as a hint of Hokkien. For example, if you want to say you want to go somewhere...say to the market, you'd have to say
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"Gua mo pegi pa-sey" = I want to go to the market
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The usual words that we would use are these examples :-
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1. Gua = I
2. Lu = You
3. Mo = Want / Mahu
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Other words are kinda like the Malay language. Here are some examples....
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"Tolong ambik tok-poh" = Please hand me the cloth.
"Gua mo naik lo-teng" = I'm going upstairs
"Gua mo pi buang air kechik" = I'm going to pee
"Mok-sia-neo tu mo apa?" = What's that freak want??
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What's so special about the language? There's nothing really much to brag about it, but the language is fading away. Why? The modern Baba and Nyonya, do not use the language to communicate any more. It's kinda sad, really. Gone are the days where you see young Nyonya girls wearing Kebaya walking around town except for some festivals. Some may say.....either she's mad or she has lack sense of style. Today's style is all about Louis Vuitton, Coach, Hugo Boss and Calvin Klein. It is difficult to spot a full bred Baba and Nyonya in town, even in Melaka. They are around of course, but difficult. Some may not even claim to be one.
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This post may not be complete coz it's difficult to teach the language without conversing in one. You may want to post some comments/questions on specific sentences, and I'll be more than happy to assist you.
