Level of Knowledge, Readiness and Practice of Speaking Malay Language among Indigenous People

Abstract

This study aims to examine the level of knowledge, readiness and practice of the Malay language among the Orang Asli community. The study involved 80 Orang Asli people living in the rural areas of Kuala Lipis and Cameron Highlands in Pahang. The design of the study is a quantitative survey method involving data collection through questionnaires related to their level of knowledge of the Malay language and readiness to speak, in addition, the practice of Malay language when communicating based on Environmental Theory developed by (Bronfenbrenner, 1917). Descriptive analysis method was used by the researcher to show the frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. The findings of the study found that the level of knowledge of the Orang Asli community related to the Malay language is at a moderate level with a score (M = 2.73). While the level of readiness to speak Malay was at a low level with a score (M = 2.30) and the practice of communicating using Malay was also at a low level with a score (M = 1.84). The findings of the study found that the average level of knowledge of the Orang Asli community on the Malay language show their awareness of the existence of the Malay language as an intermediate language, but still limited in terms of readiness and practice of using the Malay language in communication. The implications of this study can increase the awareness of the new generation of the Orang Asli community about the importance of the Malay language.