Some Ways of Speaking in English: A Malaysian Perspective

Abstract

With varying ‘Englishes’ from varying cultures, it is inevitable that ways of speaking, albeit in English, would vary too. This paper looks at some ways of speaking in English in Malaysia and implications for English language teaching. It is based on qualitative research involving proficient TESL undergraduates and post-graduates, as well as non- Malaysian L1 and L2 speakers of English who have been in Malaysia for at least six months. It offers examples of speech patterns used by Malaysians when speaking in English and the reactions of the non-Malaysian L1 and L2 speakers of English to the ways of speaking. Gender differences, however, were not considered as the Malaysians in the study were mainly female.