by Mousumi Shanta
I really enjoyed last week’s class and want to write a brief blog about it. One of our classmates, Melissa, gave a presentation on language experiences in Malaysia, which caught my attention. As an English-speaking Montrealer, I encounter multilingualism in a different way here in Montreal, so her topic resonated with me.
In Malaysia, I’ve noticed it’s a blend of so many languages, starting with Bahasa Malaysia, which is the official language everyone uses. English is also super common, especially in schools and businesses, while the Chinese and Indian communities add to the mix with languages like Mandarin, Cantonese, and Tamil. There are also indigenous languages spoken by native groups in Sabah, Sarawak, and across the peninsula, plus some unique ones like the Portuguese Creole Kristang in Melaka. I love how this mix of languages really shows off Malaysia’s rich culture and diversity!
This made me reflect on Montreal. We already know that Montreal is a bilingual city, where both French and English are widely spoken. However, I’ve noticed that, unfortunately, there isn’t always a strong sense of friendliness or connection between the two language communities. People tend to stick to either French or English, which can sometimes create a divide, rather than fostering the sense of unity that a bilingual city could offer. This contrast became even clearer to me after Melissa’s presentation, where multiple languages coexist in Malaysia in a more blended and harmonious way.
Melissa’s presentation, along with the YouTube video she shared about Malaysian culture and language practices, opened my eyes to how multilingual societies can thrive with a sense of harmony and inclusion. It’s amazing to know that language is such an important part of our lives and cultures, even helping us make new friends, which I feel is something we could aspire to more in Montreal.
