Sikap Terhadap Bahasa Melayu: Satu Kajian Kes Di Pantai Timur Semenanjung

This is an empirical survey of Malay language attitude and acceptance amongst the urban and rural communities by focusing on the East Coast Peninsula area of Pahang. Six districts were selected as the areas of study, namely, Temerloh, Maran, Jerantut, Muadzam Shah, Kuala Lipis, and Kuantan. Data were analyzed to evaluate whether the attitude and perception of both communities toward the ability and commercial values of Malay language had changed or otherwise. The analysis utilized Sociolinguistic approach. 200 questionnaires were distributed to respondents aged between 10 to 61 years old. Personal interviews and field observations were also undertaken. The data were analyzed by using SPSS method. Results of this survey indicated there are admixture-attitudesamong the East Coast communities toward Malay language, depending on the variables. It could be concluded that age, racial group, religion, level of education and residential place are the major variables in determining the language attitudes and perceptions. Nevertheless, the disposal income and marital status had not showed obvious differences as to be regarded as variables. As a whole, based on the validity and credibility tests on the Malay language acquaintance, attitudeand acceptance of Malay language, as well as the attitude toward the Malay language, there are substantial trusts and credibility among the East Coast Malay community toward the Malay language.