Malay Literature and the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka
A short tour of Malay writing from classical hikayat to modern novels, and the institution that guides the language in Malaysia.
Malay literature stretches from court chronicles to modern novels and poetry. Reading a little of it is a rewarding way to deepen your vocabulary.
Traditional forms
| Form | Description |
|---|---|
| hikayat | a prose tale or chronicle, often of heroes and kings |
| syair | a narrative poem in four-line rhyming stanzas (aaaa) |
| pantun | a four-line poem with abab rhyme |
| cerita rakyat | folk tales |
Classical works
- Sejarah Melayu, the "Malay Annals", records the history of the Melaka Sultanate.
- Hikayat Hang Tuah tells of a legendary warrior.
- Hikayat Abdullah, by Abdullah Munsyi in the nineteenth century, is often seen as a bridge to modern Malay writing.
Modern Malay literature
In the twentieth century, Malay writers embraced the novel, short story, modern poetry and drama. Important figures in Malaysia include:
- Usman Awang, a poet
- A. Samad Said, a novelist and poet (his novel Salina)
- Shahnon Ahmad, a novelist
They write about village life, city life, identity, and social change.
The Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka
The Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP, "Institute of Language and Literature") was established in Malaysia in 1956. Its roles include:
- Standardising spelling and vocabulary.
- Publishing dictionaries and books.
- Coining new terms, such as komputer riba for laptop.
- Promoting the use of Malay.
Brunei and Indonesia have their own language bodies as well.
Reading tips
- Start with short stories or poems.
- Read pantun aloud.
- Keep a dictionary for new words.
- Try children's books for clear, simple language.
Words for literature
| Malay | Meaning |
|---|---|
| sastera | literature |
| puisi | poem, poetry |
| cerpen | short story |
| novel | novel |
| penulis | writer |
| penyair | poet |
| pengarang | author |
Tips
- Read across forms.
- Learn literature vocabulary.
- Use the dictionary to explore.
English Malay Dictionary
Offline English–Malay (Bahasa Melayu) dictionary with clear, accurate meanings
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