MALAY LANGUAGE: THE CULTURAL SPIRIT OF THE SOUTHERN BORDER

Abstract

This study analyzed the relationship between the Malay language and the construction of ethnic and Islamic identity in Thailand’s three southern border provinces, where the language plays a crucial role in the daily lives of the Malay community. In this context, Malay serves is not only as a means of communication but also as a symbol of ethnic identity and Islamic belief, rooted in ancient kingdoms such as Patani and Langkasuka. The Malay language spoken in this region differs from Standard Malay in Malaysia in terms of phonology, pragmatics, and vocabulary. A large portion of its lexicon has been influenced by Arabic, introduced through trade and the spread of Islam from the Middle East, while some elements also reflect influence from Sanskrit in India. Although Thai is currently the official language and is widely used in education and government administration throughout the country, Malay remains the primary language of communication within families and local communities. It also plays a significant role in Islamic religious schools (pondok), where it is the main medium of instruction and is written using the Jawi script. The decline in the use of Thai in certain areas of the southern border provinces reflects the social and cultural dynamics closely tied to ethnic and religious identity. Thus, Malay functions not merely as a tool of communication but also as a means of preserving and maintaining the identity of the Malay Muslim community in the region. This research demonstrates that the study of Malay in this context constitutes a complex investigation of language and culture, deeply interconnected with the history of the Malay community in southern Thailand.