Subramaniam, Vijayaletchumy and Subramaniam, Sharala and Wan Salim, Wan Iman and Nagaraju, Pavitira and Shanmugam, Gokilavani
(2025)
The soul of unity: Malay language and its role in culture, identity, and peace.
Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research, 7 (2).
pp. 22-31.
E-ISSN 2682-9096
Abstract
This paper explores the significant function of Malay as a nation-building language in advancing cultural identity, social unity, and peaceful coexistence in Southeast Asia. As the ancient lingua franca, Malay has united different ethnic, cultural, and geographical communities from Srivijaya to contemporary Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia. Beyond communication, Malay is a vehicle of critical values of respect, modesty, and cooperation that have endured to shape social behaviour. Adopting a narrative review approach, this study interweaves policy documents, historical texts, and academic sources in examining Malay’s role in cultural conservation and peacebuilding. The research highlights how Malay tradition—expressed through oral literature, proverbs, and community practice—nurtures shared understanding and collective identity. It does so simultaneously while globalization, English language hegemony, and the influence of new media challenge its vitality. Against such pressures, Malay demonstrates resilience in the face of state policy, social activism, and revived appeal among younger generations. New developments, including digitization of resources, inclusion into school curriculum, and creative deployment of social media, add further to its currency. Indeed, the language is compatible with regional peacebuilding agendas, like ASEAN’s program of intercultural dialogue and cultural cooperation. The findings verify that Malay is not merely a language but a unifying cultural power. By maintaining and reinforcing the use of both its ancient and modern forms, Malay can maintain heritage, unify identity, and be an effective vehicle for harmony in an increasingly globalized world.
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