I always wonder " what is actually wrong about speaking in English language? " . This one question becomes more and more rapidly appears to my mind ever since I've enrolled to the well-known, noted University, UiTM. As all of us know, this prestigious university was, is and will (as far as i know), use English as the medium for learning-teaching language. I'm overwhelm with that. Proud of that, even. Of course! I'm studying at this cool uni. But, after enrolling, I was quite shocked,culture shock maybe. Well, the environment i meant. I remember, during early of my first semester, I was really afraid to open my mouth, it feels like once I say something, people will start starring like you said something wrong, or maybe your mouth are just plain smelly. Thats how i felt. You know why? Let me give you a situation, '' one fine day, we were having a meeting with the seniors. As they talked and talked and talked, they were parts that i dont understand, [my momma say, if you don't understand, you ask!], so i asked. I raised up my hand and said, ' erm, can you please repeat, i don't understand.' To my surprise, heads turned. Like i said some vulgar words or so. and i heard some voices saying ' Waaaah, Speaking ENGLISH la dia', or 'Wow,macam orang putih la tu?'. Sarcastic much ???? This kind of responses were not what i'm hoping and waiting for but, thats what i really got. Funny, NO? I mean, What?? They're kidding right? But NO. They are not. But what more could i say or do, so i just kept quiet. And ever since, some naughty course mates started teasing,but i don't mind though, coz, thats the way i am. How my parents raised me. In a mixed family, having an Indian-Malay Father, and a pure Chinese Mother, we don't stick to one language only, and to your surprise, at home Malay language is not our first language. Among the siblings and my mom, Mandarin and other 2 other chinese dialects will be our language of communication, we speak mandarin and English, and English to my dad and a little malay. You see? And I do admit that my malay language is not that good. I admit. So? Everyday we improve. And I'm not saying that I can speak brilliant english. I'm never proud of knowing how to speak that little language. So whats the fuss? None right?
So, I am a Daughter, I am a Sister, I am a Friend, it doesn't matter who I am or who you are, I am a Person who deserves respect and so do you. It doesn't matter how wealthy you are, how healthy you are, how knowledgeable you are, if you can't keep you mouth and lips to yourself, you are nothing. Don't judge, because you're not so good after all. Right? We are all learning, well I am, at least.
Our former prime minister, the Tun Dr. Mahathir said 'Speak English,its okay, It won't make you any less Malaysian', and 'the world is not going to learn Malay in order to understand the Malays'.
Last but not least, yeah, I love my UiTM. :)
Cheers. :)
