ID :
275684
Fri, 02/22/2013 - 05:21
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/275684
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Preserving The Jawi Heritage From Malaysia's Tanjung Malim To Busan
By Fadzli Ramli
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 22 (Bernama) -- Prof Dr Kang Kyoung Seok (right) is the only
Korean expert in Jawi (Arabic alphabet) scripts and his expertise has been recognised
by the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (The Institute of Language and Literature or DBP),
the government body that looks into the proper usage of the Malay language.
The 58 year old academician's passion and field of study has been the Malay
culture and the Jawi alphabets.
Jawi letters we used extensively in Malay written works in the early days
before it was replaced by Romanised alphabets.
Kang who relayed his concern in an article over the fate of the Jawi scripts
which is losing importance among Malaysian youths.
On Jan 16, this writer managed to catch up with Kang, sadly on his last day
in Malaysia after his three-year term as the Visiting Professor at Sultan Idris Education
University (UPSI) in Tanjung Malim, Perak expired on Jan 3.
He has since returned to Busan University of Foreign Studies in South Korea
where he heads the Malaysian Studies Department.
According to Kang, his return did not mean the end of his efforts in keeping
the Jawi heritage alive. He had embarked on a journey to preserve Jawi culture
in 1974 in Busan, South Korea and continued until his short stint with UPSI.
THE MALAY CULTURE IN SOUTH KOREA
He returned not because he does not want to stay in Malaysia which he viewed
as his second home. But Kang had returned to his homeland with the aim of
reviving the knowledge on Malay culture there.
"I want to return to South Korea because right there now the Malay culture
that the locals know is going into oblivion when compared with the 1980s and
1990s, especially among the undergraduates who are studying the Malay culture
and language," he told Bernama.
He pointed out that not many Korean students are aware of the differences
between Malay and Indonesian cultures. Therefore, many students are looking into
courses pertaining to Indonesian culture, reducing the popularity of courses on
Malay culture.
"In fact, many Koreans are learning Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesia's language) and
Indonesia’s culture instead.
"This is wrong because despite the many similarities between both sides
there are also profound differences that we have to learn. My students have to
learn the Melayu Asli (Original Malay) songs, dance the Zapin and write in Jawi
if there are to learn of the Malays and Malaysia," he said with a wide
grin.
Kang plans to utilise the good rapport among Busan University, UPSI and DBP
to further his cause in ensuring Jawi alphabets does not suffer the fate of many
other alphabets that have become extinct.
One of Kang's earnest effort is to bring a Visiting Professor from UPSI or
DBP to serve to his university in South Korea.
PEPETUATING THE JAWI SCRIPT
And speaking of perpetuating the legacy of the Jawi script, the Malays in
the country should see the script in the universal context.
"I see that the Jawi script now is being used by the Malays exclusively in
the religious and cultural realm only, why not take it to the universities as
the main text of the education there.
"As for me, we should engage with the young students at the universities
because these bright people will decide on Malaysia's future, and if they are
aware on Jawi then Jawi's usage will continue to grow in Malaysia in the
future," he said.
Apart from this, extraordinary initiatives like done by South Korean rapper
Psy in popularising the Korean culture through his 'Gangnam Style' song should
be considered to captivate the world and attract the youngsters.
"Gangnam Style has transformed something ordinary beyond the ordinary. In
Malaysia, I believe we can do something extraordinary to revive the use of Jawi
scripts," he said.
THE 'JAWIOLOGY' THEORY
Kang noted that he has been working on 'Jawiology', to re-introduce Jawi to
the world.
"Through this theory I want to explain on the developments of the Jawi
script right from the scripts used in the Al-Quran to the ones adapted for use
by the Malays. My theory makes Jawi alphabets easily understood by the
non-Malays all over the world," he said.
On the challenges he has been through in deciphering wordings in Jawi,
especially historical texts, Kang pointed to the ancient stone tablet in
Terengganu that promulgates Islam as the religion of the people then.
"I'm still studying the inscriptions on this tablet since starting in 1980.
Some of the meanings remain vague due to the missing parts of the alphabets
including the dots that differentiate letters like 'ba' and 'nun'.
"So far no complete translation of the tablet has been forthcoming. I myself
want to study it further," he said.
ADVOCATING MALAY HERITAGE UNTIL HIS LAST BREATH
When asked when he plans to quit advocating this Malay heritage, Kang turned
towards the writer and gave a serious look.
"I will defend the Malay heritage including the Malay culture and the Jawi
letters that I love so much until my last breath," he said in an emotional but
confident tone.
However, the writer is unsure if younger Malaysians share Kang's enthusiasm
with regard to Jawi.
Ending the interview, Kang made it clear of his determination to act as an
intermediary between the Korean and Malaysian communities especially the younger
generation in sharing language and culture.
"I want us to be best of friends. The youngsters of Malaysia are highly
enthusiastic over the Korean K-Pop and in return I want to see the Koreans will
take an interest in the Malaysian language and culture," he said. (photoBERNAMA)
-- BERNAMA