Language Use Among Malaysian Tamil Youth

Nalliannan, Pawathy; Perumal, Thanalachime; Pillai, Stefanie

doi:10.2478/sm-2021-0014

Cited by 2 publications

References 14 publications

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Choice of language in the construction of cultural identity by Tamil speakers in India

Eldho,

Kumar

2023

IJoLC

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Individuals in multilingual societies are associated with several culturally diverse groups, and so their cultural identity is multifarious and subject to constant change across time and space as a result of increasing intercultural engagements. While cultural norms are essentially embedded in one’s language, the choice of language is understood as a significant tool in projecting the cultural identity of a linguistic community. This paper examines how language choice becomes an agency for Tamil speakers in India to construct their cultural identity. Contextualized among native Tamil speakers in Chennai, the capital city of the southernmost Indian state of Tamil Nadu, this study unravels the narratives by which the speakers’ specific language preference in family, friendship, and institutional domains is used to perform identities and maintain a community consciousness. It also examines the role of language ideologies in contributing to their choices. The study finds that despite the penetration of English into all three domains in varying degrees, Tamil remains the ‘pride’ and the preferred language for all. This affinity is driven by ideological discourses surrounding the cultural history of Tamizhakam, from which arise the need to form a distinct Tamil identity.

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Choice of language in the construction of cultural identity by Tamil speakers in India

Eldho,

Kumar

2023

IJoLC

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A case study of translating “Intolerance of Uncertainty Short form” (IUS-12) into Bahasa Malaysia – Part 1: unveiling a novel translation and cross-cultural adaptation approach for multi-ethnolinguistic population

Eachempati,

Nagraj,

Salian

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Background: Questionnaire translation is vital for high-quality research, requiring more than simple language conversion. Inaccurate translations can alter question meanings and compromise the intended message, necessitating cross-cultural adaptation, particularly in multi-ethnic, multi-lingual contexts. The aim of this project is to translate the "Intolerance of Uncertainty Short form" (IUS-12) into Bahasa Malaysia for multiethnolinguistic individuals using a novel process. Methods: Recognizing that respondents may interpret questions in their mother tongue, we devised a systematic translation method. Forward and backward translations were conducted by trilingual individuals from each ethnic group, refined by an expert committee to assess semantic, conceptual, idiomatic, and experiential equivalence. A pilot study with 30 dental patients confirmed comprehension, resulting in the finalized IUS-12 BM. The results revealed how some words and expressions lack direct equivalents, resulting in subtle differences that may be overlooked in the usual translation approach. Malaysia's unique multilingual environment further complicates matters, with people's mother tongues evolving within this diverse setting and extensive borrowing of words and concepts from other languages. Conclusion: This research uniquely involves multiple ethnic groups at every stage, producing a translated instrument while gathering contextual data on how different cultures interpret concepts like "uncertainty." Based on our experience, we propose the MELT toolkit to enhance translation and adaptation processes. In conclusion, our novel approach offers a unique method for developing ethnolinguistically relevant instruments that foster inclusive and diverse research practices. This methodology emphasizes the importance of cultural sensitivity and linguistic accuracy, ensuring research outcomes reflect the perspectives of varied ethnic groups.

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Language Use Among Malaysian Tamil Youth

Cited by 2 publications

References 14 publications

Choice of language in the construction of cultural identity by Tamil speakers in India

Choice of language in the construction of cultural identity by Tamil speakers in India

A case study of translating “Intolerance of Uncertainty Short form” (IUS-12) into Bahasa Malaysia – Part 1: unveiling a novel translation and cross-cultural adaptation approach for multi-ethnolinguistic population

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