If it is considered impolite to use the words "aku" for "I" and "awak" for "you" in Bahasa Melayu, why do the subtitles in Malaysian television use those words instead of "saya" and "kamu"?
2006-12-16 23:02:28 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Malaysia
Sometimes also "kau" is seen for "you". Is that impolite, too?
2006-12-17 00:08:20 · update #1
what i understand is its all depend on who you are talking to. If is someone elder, of course you mentioned yourself as 'aku' n addressed him as 'kau' seem impolite, instead it should be 'saya' n 'kamu' or abang or encik or pakcik.
But if the person we talk to is as young as us or younger, then using 'aku' or 'i' n 'kau' or 'you' shouldn't be any problem, its acceptable. Normally close friends would uses 'aku' n 'kau'. Actually it boiled down to the relationship between the both side how they wanted to called each others. Hence there is no right or wrong in using 'aku', 'i', 'awak', 'you', saya' n 'kamu', its just whether its proper or not depend on situation.
2006-12-17 00:50:42 · answer #1 · answered by ng 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Aku = Saya = Me = I
Awak = Kamu = You
If you are talking to some1 who is older than you, it is polite to address yourself with "saya" & the person with "kamu" or "awak"... Except that the word "kamu" sounds a bit geeky... The word "awak" is ok to be used & it doesn't being considered as impolite...
"Aku" is a kinda slang... It can be considered as impolite if you use that word with some1 who is much older than you are or some1 who you just meet for the 1st time... It is better use the word "saya" unless if you are talking to your friends then you can use the word "aku"...
Honestly, sometimes it really give me a headache especially when the subtitles are definitely being used/ translated in a wrong way...
Cheers... (^_^)
2006-12-17 14:48:24 · answer #2 · answered by nurfarizah1979 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well...it's not definetely impolite using "aku" and "awak". It is widely used in everyday conversation.
"Saya" and "Kamu" is a formal way to say I and You. So nothing wrong wheter u used "aku" or "saya" and "awak" or "Kamu"
2006-12-16 23:53:35 · answer #3 · answered by rahim_al_kajai 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
ERYN benefits the ten factors She has taken large attempt, appropriate translation with out deviation from the english textual content. She has a sturdy command of grammar and vocab besides. This cant be the artwork of an digital transalation software. p/s, its kinda piss me off to work out incorrect answer chosen because the perfect, in certain circumstances. Thats why im penning this.
2016-11-27 00:00:33 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because saya& kamu is a more polite way of saying aku & awak.
2006-12-16 23:08:03 · answer #5 · answered by Raghavan R 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
well agree to everyone,but just one additional info for you:we also use 'aku' for 'i' if we are saying it for patriotic reasons.and for yr info,we sometimes use the short form 'ku' for 'aku'.eg our national anthem 'negaraku' same as 'negara aku' it means MY COUNTRY.so it is often used in patriotic songs.
another purpose is in literature.in poems we always use 'aku' and 'engkau' or their short forms,'ku' and 'kau',and sometimes 'mu' for 'kamu'.we also use it in prayers...or communication with God.
try asking someone from phillipines...they also use 'aku' for 'i' (not to mention indonesia and brunei)
2006-12-17 11:35:08 · answer #6 · answered by ilyasr2 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
its like this..
'aku'(means 'I') is used with 'kau'('you')..we(malay) used that when speaking only to our close friends..
'saya' is used with 'awak' or 'kamu'...this is a polite way to say 'I' n 'you'...you better use this one when speaking..
2006-12-17 00:55:42 · answer #7 · answered by kampong boy 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
i have malay friends but they never use aku. Seen a few using awak tho.. Hmm.. i pun tak tau la. Malaysians are a bit confused so you cant expect a proper answer from malaysian ourselves.
2006-12-17 03:03:44 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Yup, its impolite to use it on elderly people. I got a hell of a lecture when I used it on my teacher during primary school days.
2006-12-17 01:09:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Dennis, to be on the safe side, you may use "I" and "you" instead when converse in malay language. they understand it very much. no harm, that's what I do when I'm not sure what's the correct word to use
2006-12-17 15:22:34 · answer #10 · answered by ¥op 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋