Malay

A language of Malaysia

ISO 639-3

Alternate Names

Colloquial Malay, Informal Malay, Local Malay, Malayu

Autonym

Bahasa Melayu, ملايو‎ (Melayu)

Population

13,500,000 in Malaysia, all users. 10,500,000 (2004 census). 10 million in Peninsular Malaysia, 506,000 in Sarawak, and 30,000 in Labuan. 3,000,000. Total users in all countries: 19,122,700 (as L1: 16,122,700; as L2: 3,000,000).

Location

Peninsular Malaysia: widespread; Sarawak: Betong, Kuching, Samarahan, and Sri Aman districts.

Language Maps

Brunei and Malaysia - Sarawak

Indonesia, Java and Bali

Indonesia, Kalimantan

Indonesia, Sumatra

Malaysia - Peninsular

Language Status

3 (Wider communication).

Classification

Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Malayo-Chamic, Malayic, Malay

Dialects

Coastal Terengganu, Inland Terengganu, Kelantan, Pahang, Southeast Island, Jugra-Muar-Melaka-Johor, Sarawak (Sarawak Malay), Tamiang, Deli, Riau Mainland, Akit, Sakai, Riau islands, Coastal Jambi, Belitung, Northwestern Kalimantan, Upstream Western Kalimantan, Southwestern Coastal Kalimantan. Kedah Malay [meo], Negeri Sembilan Malay [zmi], Jakun [jak], Orang Kanaq [orn], Orang Seletar [ors], Temuan [tmw], Sabah Malay [msi], and Brunei [kxd] are so closely related that they may one day be included as dialects of Malay. Coastal Terengganu, inland Terengganu, Kelantan most aberrant but evidently mutually intelligible with Pattani Malay [mfa]. A member of macrolanguage Malay [msa].

Language Use

Also use English [eng], Standard Malay [zsm]. Used as L2 by Central Melanau [mel], Cheq Wong [cwg], Duano [dup], Jah Hut [jah], Jehai [jhi], Kensiu [kns], Kintaq [knq], Lanoh [lnh], Mah Meri [mhe], Malaccan Creole Portuguese [mcm], Minriq [mnq], Remun [lkj], Salako [knx], Semai [sea], Semaq Beri [szc], Semelai [sza], Southern Sama [ssb], Tamil [tam], Temiar [tea], Toraja [sda].

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Malay

Writing

Arabic script, Naskh variant [Arab]. Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

This entry refers to local or vernacular Malay varieties not well differentiated from each other, and other varieties for which further research is needed to clarify differentiation from mainstream dialects. Distinguished from court-Malay-derived Standard Indonesian [ind] or Standard Malay [zsm] by sociolinguistic status as vernaculars, and other linguistic features.

Also spoken in:

Expand All Collapse All

Indonesia

Language nameMalay

Population

4,910,000 (2000 census). 3,970,000 in Sumatra (100,000 in Belitung, 1,830,000 in Riau, 2,000,000 Deli, Asahan, etc. in North Sumatra and 40,000 Tamiang in Aceh), and 940,000 in Kalimantan (primarily Pontianak, Sambas and Ketapang).

Location

Aceh, Jambi, Kepulauan Bangka Belitung, Kepulauan Riau, Kalimantan Barat, Kalimantan Selatan, Kalimantan Tengah, Riau, Sumatera Barat, and Sumatera Utara provinces; widespread in central and north Sumatra, areas of Kalimantan, and island provinces between.

Alternate Names

Bahasa Daerah, Bahasa Melayu, Malayu

Dialects

Tamiang, Riau Mainland, Deli, Belitung, Akit, Sakai, Riau islands (Sea Tribe dialects), coastal Jambi, Sambas, Landak, Pontianak, Sukadana, Ketapang, Sanggau, Sintang, Sekadau, Kapuas Hulu.

Status

6a (Vigorous). De facto language of provincial identity in Sumatra.

Language Use

Vigorous. Home, trade, some religion. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use Indonesian [ind], particularly for education, religion, government activities.

Other Comments

This entry refers to numerous, local or vernacular, Malay varieties not well differentiated from each other, as well as varieties for which further research is required to clarify differentiation from more mainstream dialects. Distinguished from court-Malay-derived Standard Malay [zsm] and Indonesian [ind]. Muslim, Christian, traditional religion.

View other languages of Indonesia

Singapore

Language nameMalay

Population

659,000 (2015 World Factbook).

Alternate Names

Colloquial Malay, Local Malay, Malayu

Dialects

Jugra-Muar-Melaka-Johor.

Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1963, Constitution, Article 153A(2)), not dominant despite status.

Language Use

Ethnic Malay speaking groups: Malay 339,000, 85%; Javanese 21,000, 5%; Indians 14,000, 4%; Bawean Madurese 14,000, 4%; Arabs 2,500, Below 1%; Bugis 500, Below 1%. English used at home by 7%. Also use English [eng], Standard Malay [zsm].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Local Malay [zlm] in Singapore is distinguished from court-Malay-derived Standard Malay [zsm] by its sociolinguistic status as a vernacular, as well as by various linguistic features. Muslim.

View other languages of Singapore

Ethnologue

Malay

Primary tabs

A language of Malaysia

Also spoken in:

Browse by

Current Edition

Products

Related Sites

Contact