Improving the Malay Language to Become an International Language

Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Raja Ali Haji Maritime University, Tanjungpinang 29124, Riau Islands Province, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: abdulmalik@umrah.ac.id

Abstract

This paper discusses the efforts to improve Malay into an international language since the time of the Traditional Malay Sultanate, which had reached its peak during the Riau-Lingga Sultanate. For this purpose, this research uses the method of linguistic history. Throughout its history, Malay has played a special role in the archipelago and has been recognised by foreign nations as an international language. The Malay language has been developed and guided since the time of Srivijaya Kingdom, Mallaca Malay Sultanate, Riau-Lingga-Johor-Pahang Sultanate and Riau-Lingga Sultanate. In this case, Malay was used as the language of diplomacy, administration, business, religion and science, as well as the medium of everyday communication between individuals and leaders of the archipelago. When the Malay-speaking nations became independent, the decision was to choose Malay language as the main official tongue in the newly formed countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Brunei Darussalam. Therefore, Malay has the potential to be improved into an international language in the era of globalization.