| This is a synchronic study of Baba Malay, a variety of Malay spoken by Baba Chinese. The major concerns of the study are (1) the linguistic identity of Baba Malay vis-a-vis other Malay and (2) the extent of Hokkien Chinese influence on the dialect. This research and its findings are based on 91 hours of tape-recorded conversations made at the Katong Antique House, Singapore, from August-October 1984. The investigation was carried out across Baba Malay grammar, that is, its phonology, lexicon and syntax. Based on sound correspondences, Baba Malay was found to be not much different from other Malay dialects although its unique phonological properties mark it off as a distinctive dialect. Interesting phonemes are (1) the glottal stop; (2) the ai and au diphthongs; (3) the final alveolars (-r, -s, and -l) when preceded by the primary vowels (-a, -i, -u); and, (4) the fricatives s and h. The numerous Hokkien loans in the language have had relatively little effect on the phonological system. In terms of the lexical corpus, Hokkien has had an obvious impact. Hokkien loans, however, tend to be associated with Chinese-derived institutions (12 categories were found) and are examined in the light of the recent acculturation of the Babas. For direct loans, Baba Malay follows the Hokkien order of attribute head. For hybrid- ized formations (whether Hokkien-Malay or Malay-Hokkien patterns) the Malay order of head attribute was found. In syntax, the grammat- ical function of certain frequently-used morphemes viz. puna, kasi, kena, and mo were compared to the functions of their proposed equivalents in Hokkien as well as with their functions (or those of equivalent morphemes) in other Malay dialects. The conclusion was that while there has been some borrowing and other influence from Hokkien, the Chinese element and role in Baba Malay has been over-estimated. In the past, Baba Malay has earned little or no recognition as a Malay dialect. This study which investigates the salient similari- ties and differences that hold between Baba Malay, other Malay and Hokkien clearly establishes Baba Malay as a unique dialect of Malay. |
