Terengganu Malay
Terengganu language is a Malayan language spoken in the Malaysian state of Terengganu all the way southward to coastal Pahang and northeast Johor. It is historically spoken in the Anambas and Natuna islands of Riau Islands, Indonesia but its speakers are fastly diminishing and replaced by the local Malay dialects on the islands as well as the national and official standard of Indonesian. It is the state's most dominant Malay variety and also acts as the main lingua franca for various ethnic groups within Terengganu. Although usually considered to be a variety of Malay, Terengganu Malay is one of the most aberrant from all the Malay varieties in the Peninsular along with Kelantan-Pattani Malay and developed a distinct phonetic, syntactic and lexical distinctions which makes it mutually unintelligible for speakers from outside the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. However, Terengganu Malay shares close linguistic relations with Kelantan-Pattani and Pahang varieties in which it forms the same Malay group of East Coast Peninsular Malayan languages. These similarities often confused many people outside the region, which usually interchanged Terengganu Malay with those of Kelantan Malay even though there are major phonological and vocabulary differences between the two.
Despite being the majority language of the state, Terengganu Malay also coexists with two distinct but closely related Malay varieties as well. In the districts of Besut and northern part of Setiu, the majority of the population speak Kelantan-Pattani Malay which is closely related but distinct from Terengganu Malay although in recent years many people from southern Terengganu started to migrate into these districts and both variants coexists with each other. In Hulu Terengganu, the variety of Malay spoken there is often regarded as a sub-dialect of Terengganu Malay but have distinct phonology and some parts of the vocabulary than those spoken in other parts of Terengganu which sometimes unintelligible to coastal speakers. Even within different villages in Hulu Terengganu, the variety exhibit some differences as well mostly in terms of phonology. The rest of Terengganu however uses the Coastal sub-dialect of Terengganu Malay but there also exists some minor differences in terms of vocabulary between each districts but still largely mutually intelligible. The sub-dialect spoken in the districts of Kuala Terengganu-Kuala Nerus is considered the standard dialect for inter-ethnic and inter-district communications.
Terengganu Malay is considered to be the most recognisable identity of the state. This can be seen in many local television dramas, movies as well as in both modern and traditional songs and poems which emphasizes the usage of Terengganu Malay. Radio stations such as Terengganu FM and Hot FM Terengganu mainly used Terengganu Malay in its broadcast along with standard Malaysian. Recent years show an increase of awareness of the uniqueness of Terengganu Malay, such as the increasing use of Terengganu Malay in shop signs and recently the publication of Hulu Terengganu Malay dictionary
Names
The people of Terengganu usually referred to their language as Base/Bahse Tranung/Tghanung which means 'the language of Terengganu' or Cakak Tranung which means 'Speaking Terengganuan'. In Standard Malay it is known as Bahasa Terengganu or Bahasa Melayu Terengganu. The people of outside Terengganu often misunderstood that Terengganuans usually called themselves and their language as Ganu, the word Ganu is actually how the Kelantanese and the people of Besut in northern Terengganu pronounce Terengganu and is rarely used by southern Terengganuans themselves. Besides Tranung and Ganu, the people of Terengganu sometimes use Ganung, Teganu and Teganung as well.Origin
There are several theories on the origin of the name 'Terengganu'. One theory attributes the name's origin to terang ganu, Malay for 'bright rainbow'. Another story, said to have been originally narrated by the ninth Sultan of Terengganu, Baginda Omar, tells of a party of hunters from Pahang roving and hunting in the area of what is now southern Terengganu. One of the hunters spotted a big animal fang lying on the ground. A fellow party member asked to which animal did the fang belong. The hunter, not knowing which animal, simply answered taring anu. The party later returned to Pahang with a rich hoard of game, fur and sandalwood, which impressed their neighbours. They asked the hunters where did they source their riches, to which they replied, from the land of taring anu, which later evolved into Terengganu. Terengganu was called Trangkanu by the Siamese when it was under their influence.Distribution
Terengganu Malay is natively spoken in most parts of Terengganu. Besides Terengganu, it is also spoken in coastal Pahang, from Cherating near the border with Kemaman district to as far south as Mersing district in the state of Johor. A variety spoken in the village of Tanjung Sedili in the district of Kota Tinggi is said to be a mixture of Terengganuan, Johorean and several other Malay varieties, reflecting the historical demographic of the area, which once received migration from the Malays of Terengganu.Dialects
Terengganu Malay has two major dialects that is Coastal and Inland . A dialect spoken in Kuala Terengganu district are the de facto standard dialect of Terengganu Malay. However, the most distinct of all dialects is Inland Terengganu Malay, spoken in Hulu Terengganu district, the Inland dialect have a distinct phonology compared to Coastal dialect, the most prominent is the pronunciation of the end letter "e", Coastal Terengganu speakers tend to pronounce it as a schwa while Inland Terengganu speakers tend to pronounce it with strong "e" similar to Perak Tengah dialect. People in Setiu especially in the northern part of this district mostly speak a mixed Kelantanese-Terengganuan Malay due to its border between Besut which predominantly use Kelantan-Pattani Malay but Terengganu Malay in the southern part of Setiu and Kuala Terengganu which use the more prestige form of Terengganu Malay. People in Dungun, Marang and Kemaman usually speak similar to those in Kuala Terengganu but with influences from Standard Malay and Pahang Malay as well. The people of coastal Pahang and the district of Mersing in Johor also use a Coastal variety of Terengganu Malay but with influences from Johor Malay.Comparison between Coastal and Inland dialects
Literature
Although essentially a spoken language with no standard orthography, Terengganu Malay is widely used in folk songs, poems, and also in mainstream and local media. Ibrahim Taib, a famous Terengganu poet who was known for his usage of Inland Terengganu dialect in his poems such as "Mok, Aku Nok Tubaik" and "Jadilah Awang" can be considered a fine example of Terengganu Malay literature. The song Blues Tranung/Ganu Kite by a famous Malaysian band Iklim was a major hit song at that time and is sung wholly in Terengganu Malay. In 1999 song recorded by traditional singers Noraniza Idris and Siti Nurhaliza called Dondang Dendang composed by Suhaimi Mohd Zain, the bridge part of the song contains old-trengganuan malay poem. The song is influenced by rodat sound. Another band called Spring also recorded a song sung in Terengganuan called "Hati Mahu Baik".Phonology
Terengganu Malay has a distinct phonology and grammar compared to Standard Malay. The grammatical order and pronunciation is similar but also distinct to those of the neighbouring Pahang and Kelantanese Malay.Pronunciation
/a/ followed by a nasal consonant changes to /ŋ/
ayam ايم becomes ayang; makan ماكن becomes makang
/a/ at the end of syllables changes to /ɔʔ/
minta مينتا becomes mitok
/ah/ changes /ɔh/
rumah رومه becomes rumoh
/a/ changes to /ə/
saya ساي becomes saye
/i/ changes to /iŋ/
sini سيني becomes sining
/ua/ changes to /ɔ/
buaya بوايا becomes boye
/aj/ becomes /aː/
sungai سوڠاي becomes sunga
/aw/ becomes /a/
pisau ڤيساو changes to pisa
/ia/ before a nasal vowel changes to = /ijaŋ/
siam سيام becomes siyang
/ia/ changes to /ɛ/
biasa بياسا becomes bese
/s/ and /f/ at the end of syllables changes to /h/
malas مالس changes to malah
/m/ and /n/ at the end of syllables changes to /ŋ/
hakim حاكيم changes to hakeng
/r/ changes to /ʀ/
orang اورڠ becomes oghang
final consonants are often only pronounced as a glottal stop.
bukit بوكيت becomes buke’
words are distinguished between lengthened initial consonant
final /l/ are silent.
example: tinggal becomes tingga, tebal becomes teba
usually /l/ as in /lah/ are removed and became /ah/.
example: Banyaklah becomes banyok ah.
bulang vs. bːulang ; katok vs. kːatok ; siku vs. sːiku
Vocabulary
Several comparisons between Standard Malay and Terengganu Malay with English translations:| Standard Malay | Terengganu Malay | English |
| Saya | Ambe/aku/saye/kite/oghang | I/me |
| Anda/Kamu | Mung/Deme/Awok | You |
| Siapa | Piye | Who |
| Suka | Brehi/Brahi/Wahi | Like/interest |
| Ketawa | Suke/Gelekek | Laugh |
| Juga | Ghetek/Jugok | Also |
| Kandang | Gok | Cage |
| Yang | Hok | That |
| Beritahu | Kabo/Royak | To tell |
| Tak nak | Tak Mboh | Do not want |
| Tidur | Tido/Jeretoh | Sleep |
| Apa | Nape/Mende | What |
| Degil | Babey/Gong/Kerah Keng | Stubborn |
| Selalu | Sokmo | Always |
| Duit/Wang | Pitih/Yya/Ghiya | Money |
| Kenapa | Bakpe | Why |
| Tidak | Dok | No |
| Ya | Ho/Ye | Yes |
| Jambatan | Ghetok | Bridge |
| Garang | Bekeng | Pugnacious |
| Apa Khabar | Ape Kabo/Guane Gamok | How are you? |
| Tangkap | Tagak/Igak | Catch |
| Ejek | Nyenyeh/Nganjing | Insulting |
| Naik angin | Mmusang | Angry |
| Dia | Ye/Nye | They |
| Leka | Ghalik | Preoccupied |
| Letih | Dok ghok | Tired |
| Beg Plastik | Supik/Jabir | Plastic Bag |
| Kawan | Saing | Friend |
| Sempat | Dang | Make it |
| Berani | Nellang/Tebeng | Brave |
| Kerap | Keghek | Many times |
| Azan | Bang | Adhan |
| Jangan | Doksoh/Soh Beng | Do not |
| Kedekut | Kupik | Stingy |
| Biar | Lok | Let |
| Cuba | Ce/Tra | Try |
| Sekarang | Lening | Today |
| Keluar | Tubek | Out |
| Ais | Ping | Ice |
| Tolong | Tulong | Help |
| Letak | Letok/Skung | Put |
| Buang | Tohok | Throw away |
| Panjat | Khabak/Kabak | Climb |
| Lempar | Lepo/Plekong/Petong | Throw |
| Sampai | Sapa | Arrive |
| Nanti | Kekgi | Later |
| Berjalan-jalan, Bersiar-siar | Derak, Doktong, Liwo-liwo | Stroll, Trip, Travel |
Intensifier
| Standard Malay | Terengganu Malay | English |
| Sangat Putih | Puteh Lepuk/Sepuk | Very White |
| Sangat Hitam | Itang Beletung/Belegang | Very Dark |
| Sangat Merah | Meroh Nyale/Merang | Very Red |
| Sangat Kuning | Kuning Sio | Very Yellow |
| Sangat Busuk | Busuk Kohong/Bango/Hapok | Very Smelly |
| Sangat Hancing | Hacing Pering | Very Stenchy |
| Sangat Hanyir | Hanyir Mekok | Very Fishy |
| Sangat Wangi | Wangi Mekok | Very Fragant |
| Sangat Tengik | Tengik Bango | Very Rancid |
| Sangat Masin | Masing Pekok/Rebing | Very Salty |
| Sangat Manis | Manih Letting | Very Sweet |
| Sangat Tawar | Tawo Hebe | Very Tasteless |
| Sangat Pahit | Pahik Lepang | Very Bitter |
| Sangat Masam | Masang Rebang | Very Sour |
Numerals
Numerals in Terengganu Malay is closely related to those of neighbouring Kelantanese Malay, however it differs in terms of pronunciation especially the end letter.| Standard Malay | Terengganu Malay | English |
| Satu | Se | One |
| Dua | Duwe | Two |
| Tiga | Tige | Three |
| Empat | Pak | Four |
| Lima | Lime | Five |
| Enam | Nang | Six |
| Tujuh | Tujoh | Seven |
| Lapan | Lapang | Eight |
| Sembilan | Smilang/Mmilang | Nine |
| Sepuluh | Spuloh/Ppuloh | Ten |
| Seratus | Sratoh | One Hundred |
| Seribu | Sribu | One Thousand |
| Sejuta | Sjuta | One Million |
Animals
Most words for animals agree with standard Malay, the difference only being in pronunciation.| Standard Malay | Terengganu Malay | English |
| Ayam | Ayang | Chicken |
| Buaya | Boye | Crocodile |
| Ikan Tongkol | Ikang Aye | Euthynnus affinis |
| Ikan Cencaru | Ikang Kerah Ekor | Torpedo scad |
| Ikan Pelaga | Ikang Sekila/Skila | Fighting Fish |
| Labah-labah | Llabe | Spider |
| Lintah | Litoh | Slug |
| Ketam | Ketang | Crab |
| Kerbau | Kuba/Kubo | Buffalo |
| Kumbang | Kkabo | Beetle |
| Semut Merah | Semuk Gata | Fire Ant |
| Ular | Ulo | Snake |
| Harimau | Rima | Tiger |
| Singa | Singe | Lion |
| Lipas | Lipah | Cockroach |
| Gajah | Ghajoh | Elephant |
| Burung Helang | Burong Lang | Eagle |
| Biawak | Bewok | Monitor Lizard |
| Tupai | Tupa | Squirrel |
| Katak | Katok | Frog |
| Kelekatu | Katu | Termite Alates |
| Anai-Anai | Ana-Ana | Termite |
| Sotong | Sutong | Squid |
| Kura-kura | Kure | Tortoise/Turtle |
Some notable Terengganuan phrases
"starang baroh" means "really"... a popular phrase used when you want to show or express something that is really serious or true.Example:
Ambe dok tau starang baroh
As opposed to Standard Malay or West coast Malay dialects:-
Saya memang tak tahu langsung
Another famous Terengganuan Malay phrases that have been used by Terengganu people is "Senyung sokmo" which mean "Senyum selalu" in standard Malay and "Smile always" in English. It is widely used by Terengganu people to wish other people well and to brighten their days.
Sample Text
Terengganu Malay:Budok-budok lening koho dok kena makanang tradisi, sohbeng kate kuey, nasik pong ttuko bimbo lagi, nok wak guane makanang lening modeng blake, oghang mude tak mboh belajo duk ngarak ke oghang tue sokmo.
Malaysian:
Budak-budak sekarang semakin tak kenal makanan tradisi, jangan kata kuih, nasi pun masih tertukar lagi, nak buat macam mana makanan sekarang semua moden, orang muda tak nak belajar selalu mengharap ke orang-orang tua.
English
Kids today don't know about traditional foods, it's not just traditional cakes, even the rice as well, what can we do all foods these days are modern, younger generations don't want to learn always rely on their elderlies.