Abstract
This is a study of the language situation in Kedah in late 19th century based on a corpus letters of Sultan Abdul Hamid Shah of Kedah written during the period. In order to achieve a holistic picture of the linguistic situation of Kedah during that period, a two-pronged approach is applied. One is a description of the multilingual situation in Kedah. The other is the Sultan’s own language choice as an individual and in carrying out his duty as ruler of the state.
Highlights
A study of language situation in a given area in history is only possible through recorded texts
This study focuses on the language choice of the Sultan as an individual as well as the ruler of his state
This article sets out to depict a picture of the language situation in Kedah in the period 1881 – 1895
Summary
A study of language situation in a given area in history is only possible through recorded texts. With the passing of time and with changes in the socio-cultural and political situation in Kedah in tune with those taking place in the other Malay states, the Siamese people of Malaysia today do not seem to be as visible as the Chinese or the Indians This may be due to the speed of the migration process of the two latter groups, especially with the intervention of the British in the state after the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 when Siam ceded its indirect rule of Kedah to the British. The Sultan had carried out the tradition of governing his state using the Kedah Malay dialect This was his language of choice in his correspondence with Siam and foreign governments, as well as merchant companies. All the other speech systems in the entry manage to score the minimum, as their use was confined to their own community
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