Radio and Bahasa Malaysia

Do you want to improve your Malay and relax at the same time? Tune in to a radio in Malaysia!

I am not the type that turn on the radio full blast for the whole day. I don't make the volume too loud, nor do I make it too soft- I like it just right. Then I fetch my favourite cushion and indulge in my sense of hearing...

When Radio Malaysia is On

I love to catch up with the latest Malay pop songs. Recently an Indonesian song entitled Naluri Lelaki got my attention as the singer started with:" Aku adalah lelaki yang tak pernah lelah mencari wanita..."

Huh? In Bahasa Malaysia it should be aku ialah lelaki yang tak pernah lelah mencari wanita.

The translation in English is the same for adalah and ialah in both sentences: I am a man who is never tired of seeking women.

But this sentence will receive a big "X" from a Bahasa Malaysia teacher

Grammar note: Ialah precedes a noun phrase while adalah precedes an adjective phrase or preposition phrase..

As I was pondering, the song goes on:" Aku adalah lelaki yang selalu gundah menunggu wanitaku...Oh aku adalah lelaki yang pantang menyerah memikat wanita...aku adalah lelaki yang selalu ingin dibuai wanitaku..."

I giggled!!!!!

He has a style...He's Indonesian...he doesn't have to hand this to a Bahasa Malaysia teacher...and I enjoyed this song.

Human Factor on Radio of Malaysia

During a live broadcast, two DJs invited listeners to express opinions on how to deal with more than one wife.

Pretty soon a call came in. It is of course from a guy and he sounded cheerful.

This guy chatted casually with the DJs about his two wives,stressing the importance of fairness. One of the DJs jokingly asked him about buying cars for his wives, to which he firmly answered that each of them will get a car.

Then he mentioned time management to ensure both his families get enough attention, thus he can even find time for his favourite sport!

By the time this guy hung up, I almost applauded him for the great advertisement on bigamy....

Radio and Bahasa Malaysia

My bottom line- A good listener learns well. This principle applies to learning Bahasa Malaysia too.

Listening is not a passive activity. Listening involves your hearing and thinking faculties. Before you were old enough to read, how did you learn a ( or even more than one ) language? You listened a lot to your mother, didn't you?

Then you go to school...how do you learn? You need to listen to your teacher.

As long as your hearing organs function, you need to listen to communicate - which is the essence of language, so...why not make good use of it?

Besides you can easily purchase a radio at an affordable price. The next step is just turn it on. Of course you don't have to listen to everything, you also need to be...

Selective

I am not worried about indecent content from any radio in Malaysia, thanks to the government's strict censorship.

Hence, you only need to be selective about your preferences.

As for me, I have no idea nor interest about stocks, so I do not listen to laporan bursa saham. Rock songs also make me turn off the radio quickly...( My sincere apology to rock music fans)

I have been learning a new language on my own for the almost two years and I must say the process is almost painless and effortless as I listen to things that I enjoy.

When I switch back and forth between four languages and then back to my preferred Malay station, I always feel at home.

So, which is your favourite radio station in Malaysia? Mine is...

Klasik Nasional 100% Bahasa Malaysia, I prefer it online!

and,

When I am in the mood for sizzling hot stuff-Hot Fm

What's behind those tag lines?

Radio, Tag lines and Bahasa Malaysia= fun, ha ha ha!