TO EACH, THEIR OWN

Malaysians are proud of their multiethnic diversity but they are not really giving their own ethnic language a space to flourish and strengthen the nation. Fariza Uzmat took views from two acedemics-one a prominent historian, the other a linguist-on why and how placing some concern over one's ethnic language can actually make Malaysia a better country.

According to the law of nature, a good seed makes a good tree. Once it grew older, say 51 years old, the tree would be physically very strong, would not collapse easily by heavy wind or rain and it's huge branches would serve as shade to whatever creatures passing by or plants growing on the ground.

The tree can compliment others below because of it's strong foundation. If the seed is Malaysian citizen, he is strong national irrespective of race he comes from. Because he knows his ethnic language very well, he appreciates the differences, culture and religion he has from other races. At the same time, he respects people of other races as his religion and culture promote respect to others.

He applies the concept of giving and taking because he knows life is not 364 days lucky. He would not envy his friends of other race's gains, as he will get the same if he made effort. Being ethnically strong made him who he is.

That kind of citizen still very rare inside Malaysia, which already reached 53. What Malaysia has and is developing is a lost generation, not knowing much about their roots - ethnic languages. Ethnic language refer to languages other than standard Bahasa Melayu, Indian, Chinese, English, Punjabi and also state;s dialects such as Kelantanese, Kedahan and Ibans.

Having Bahasa Malaysia as the medium or education in school should not be a problem to all ethnicities to speak their languages.

"It's is our national language that people need to be aware ".

Due to it's national status, Bahasa Melayu is always the one referred to in " Bahasa Jiwa Bangsa". However, the constitution always confirmed everyone's freedom to speak his own language as well as to practise his culture.

The wonderful thing about Malaysia is this cultural diversity and our linguistic diversity gives us enormous strenght that provides a place for all of us. We come from a country where we allow all these diversities to flourish. You do not find anything in the constitution that hampers the diversity that exist. we are allowed to use it everywhere, and very freely.

Possesing a strong ethnic identity does not make one a narrow-minded person. In fact, it will make one love his country more.

If we have different states with different languages and the development of ethnic identity reflected through languages, it will give various communities a lot of confidence in them and we can open up and understand various other communities and what their needs are.

By learning other people languages, we have a better chance of understanding one another. There is no guarantee that we will always solve problems but the chances are better. Without the ability to read other languages, their only access to connect the outside world are their leaders. When leaders came along and told certain things, we just believed.

In conclusion, learning diversity og languages will make us better than others because we can understand other people. Besides that, the others will feel comfortable as long as we are friends with them. Good Luck....!!!!!