By Nur Fadhliana Shaari
JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 16 (Bernama) -- “Ni hao”, “xiexie” and “zaijian” may be just three simple Mandarin phrases, but for three local youths, learning the language carries a deeper significance - it is a bridge to connect with people from different communities, build friendships and foster unity.
For Muhammad Aizat Nor Rahman, 36, G. Yuashini, 25, and Nurfatin Syafiqah Mohamad Yasin, 24, learning an additional language is not about sidelining the Malay language, but complementing efforts to strengthen ties in Malaysia’s multiracial society.
The three students at the Kunkwan International Online Training Centre believe that the more languages a person learns, the wider their ability to communicate and build relationships, and the deeper their appreciation of Malaysia’s diverse communities.
For factory manager Muhammad Aizat, his interest in languages prompted him to learn Mandarin, which he sees as a valuable skill for building closer relationships with people from different ethnic backgrounds.
He said his attempts to speak Mandarin were often met with positive reactions from members of the Chinese community, who appreciated his effort to learn their language.
“To me, language is a gateway to culture. That is why I view language learning as an excellent platform for fostering unity, especially in Malaysia’s multiracial society,” he told Bernama recently.
Sharing his experience, Muhammad Aizat recalled how his Mandarin proficiency helped transform an interaction with the owner of a Chinese car repair shop, who had initially appeared somewhat reluctant to communicate with him.
However, the atmosphere changed when he introduced himself and spoke in Mandarin, making their interaction more relaxed and cordial.
“Learning different languages does not mean forgetting our own cultural roots. We learn their language, and at the same time, we can teach them Malay.
“Communication improves, and language paves the way for us to learn about other cultures and understand different communities better,” he said.
For beauty therapist Yuashini, mastering Mandarin is more than an additional skill, as it enables her to assist others, particularly those who are not fluent in Malay or English.
The Pekan Nanas native resumed learning the language after nearly eight years of not using it, after noticing that elderly patients at the clinic where she worked had difficulty understanding terms related to skin conditions, allergies and steroids.
“Being able to speak Mandarin makes it easier for me to explain things to them. I learned the language to help others, not just for my own benefit,” said Yuashini, who attended Chinese school for her primary education.
Meanwhile, Nurfatin Syafiqah, a teaching assistant at Austin Heights International School, said her ability to speak Mandarin was an advantage in her work, particularly when interacting with students, most of whom are Chinese.
The Spanish Language and Linguistics graduate from Universiti Malaya said that in a diverse country like Malaysia, Malay remained the national language that united the people.
At the same time, she said, the willingness to learn other languages reflected openness to mutual understanding, respect and appreciation of diversity — qualities that form the nation’s strength.
“Malay remains an integral part of daily life, while mastering an additional language allows us to step outside our own circles, meet more people and gain insight into more cultures,” she said.
Meanwhile, Kunkwan Chief Operating Officer Frederick Foo, also known as ‘Laoshi’ (teacher), said the interest and commitment shown by Malaysians of various races in learning Mandarin reflected their openness to understanding one another’s languages and cultures, while helping to break down lingering stereotypes.
He said the bond between teacher and student was strengthened through the two-way learning process, as students learned Mandarin from him while he took the opportunity to learn Malay and even some Arabic from them.
“Kunkwan’s mission goes beyond merely teaching Mandarin. It aims to foster unity through mutual understanding among our multiracial community.
“Guided by the saying ‘you cannot love what you do not know’, the effort to understand another community’s language helps reduce misunderstandings, build trust and facilitate easier communication,” he said.
Sharing the sentiment, Laoshi Siti Aisah Hamzah, 37, and Laoshi M. Preshantini, 28, said proficiency in a third language is an asset that enabled them to share knowledge with a wider range of students while also opening up new opportunities in life.
“I really love this saying: when we speak to someone in a common language like English, the message might only reach the mind, but when we use a person’s mother tongue, it seems to go straight to the heart,” said Preshantini.
-- BERNAMA