::LANGUAGE::

The language of the Peranakans, Baba Malay (Bahasa Melayu Baba), is a creole dialect of the Malay language (Bahasa Melayu), which contains many Hokkien words. The languages had mixed together as they try to communicate to each other with different languages.

In Indonesia, young Peranakans can still speak this creole language, although its use is limited to informal occasions. As is the case with many languages, young Peranakans have created new words (and lost others), so there is normally a difference in vocabulary between the older and younger generations.

However there is one very distinct difference between the Baba language spoken in the south (Melaka and Singapore) as compared to that of the north (Pulau Pinang, Phuket & Yangon) and it is very interesting to note that in the south, they speak mainly Malay with a smattering of Hokkien words whereas in the north, it is largely Hokkien with  some Malay words.

It is a unique language indeed and enjoyed only by the older generation Peranakan and a trickling of the current generation. However, this proud Lingo faces a serious threat of extinction as there are decreasing in numbers of Babas & Nyonyas who can actually speak or communicate in their mother tongue. It is a dying language, and its contemporary use is mainly limited to members of the older generation. English has now replaced this as the main language spoken amongst the younger generation.

This is a video that I found in Youtube that have a clear story of Baba and Nyonya including the story of their unique language. This video is an interview session of a group of students with Ms. Lilian, the original Baba and Nyonya lady.