Malay, Standard

Primary tabs

Widespread.

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Brunei

Language NameMalay, Standard

Alternate Names

Bahasa Malaysia, Formal Malay, Malay, Malayu, Melayu, Melayu Baku

Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1984, Constitution, Article 82(1)).

Language Use

Formal domains, religion, government.

Language Development

Taught through third grade; used in the classroom through the final year.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. L2 only.

Singapore

Language NameMalay, Standard

User Population

Few L1 speakers. L2 speakers include ethnic Malays and some others, particularly the older generation.

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Bahasa Malaysia, Formal Malay, Malay, Malayu, Melayu, Melayu Baku

Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1963, Constitution, Article 153A(2)), not dominant despite status.

Language Development

Taught in all primary schools in early grades only. Taught as subject in secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. In Singapore, Standard Malay [zsm] exists in a diglossic relationship with Local Malay [zlm].