Malay, Baba

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A language of Singapore

ISO 639-3
mbf
Alternate Names
Baba, Chinese Malay, Low Malay, Peranakan, Straits Malay
Population

10,000 in Singapore (Pakir 1986). Ethnic population: 250,000 (1986). Total users in all countries: 12,000.

Location

Mainly Kallang district, near city center; Geylang and Jao Chiat districts.

Language Maps
Language Status

8a (Moribund).

Classification
Creole, Malay based
Dialects

None known. It developed after 15th century from Low Malay with many Min Nan Chinese [nan] borrowings. Regional variants between Malacca and Singapore. Partially intelligible with Standard Malay [zsm]. It is generally believed that Baba of Malaysia is more refined, and that of Singapore more rough. Most learn Standard Malay and English in school. Distinct from Peranakan Indonesian [pea]. Baba in Melaka, Malaysia speak a Hokkien-influenced Malay creole; those in Penang, Malaysia speak a localized version of Hokkien [nan] (2006 Tan Chee Beng).

Language Use

Mainly in the home. Older adults only. Also use Mandarin Chinese [cmn], Min Nan Chinese [nan], Standard Malay [zsm], Yue Chinese [yue].

Language Development
NT: 1913–2007.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Malay, Baba
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

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