I would like to share with you (based on my experience) a typical Malay Muslim phone call, focusing on the opening and closing of course. Maybe there are some similarities or differences to the ones discussed in class. We shall see...
Opening of phone call:
Ringgg... Ringgg...
A: Assalamualaikum (Peace be upon you)
C: Waalaikum salam (Peace be upon you too)
A: Kau kat mana ni? (Where are you?)
C: Aku kat rumah ah... Ada apa? (I am at home. What's up)
A: Ohh, aku nak tanya... (Ohh, I want to ask...)
My interpretation of the opening:
A typical Malay Muslim phone conversation begins with the "salam". Context wise, a "salam" is similar to a hello. However, it has a deeper meaning than that. It is not just a hey or hi, rather it is a prayer of the other person's well being. The "salam" is offered not just in phone calls. Even when two Muslims meet, they exchange the "salam".
Usually if not always, a typical Malay Muslim phone conversation will have the "where" question after the "salam". I guess knowing the location of the other person, the caller can derive and understand the situation the person is in and consider whether it is the right time or place to convey what is it to be conveyed.
Just from the few lines above, I believe, we can see that Malay Muslim are emphasized more on the people relation rather than being objective driven. They tend to analyze the situation first before stating their request or intention.
Closing of phone call:
silence...
C: hmm, ok lah... aku nak kena jalan (aite, I got to go)
A: hmm ok. aku pun (me too)
C: jumpa kau besok (see you tomorrow)
A: k, k... selamat ah (ok, good bye)
C: selamat (good bye)
From what I noticed, the cue to end the phone call is the long (approximately 5 seconds) silence from both the caller and callee... And usually after that would be the "i gtg" speech. And phone conversation end with the "selamat". I belietve that Malay Muslim prefer to excuse themselves by stating that they have to do something else. This is more to "jaga hati" (care for other feelings). And the terminal exchange used is "selamat" which literally means safe. "Selamat" is the shorter version of "selamat jalan" (safe going away) and "selamat tinggal" (safe left behind). Maybe it is confusing to identify who is going and who is leaving in a phone conversation, and so "selamat" is adapted.
Yet again, we can see the emphasis on the people well being. Then again, this is one example and more studies should be done to understand the orientation of the Malay Muslims. Also, gender may have an effect on this matter as well even though the race and religion are the same. Hmm, something that I can look into...
Putting aside the content of the phone call itself first, I see that in your case, a typical Malay call consists of the answerer taking the first step in saying "salam" first? Is this true? From my experience, as the caller I would say "salam"/"hello" first. Don't you think that it's contradictory for the receiver to say "Assalamualaikum" first?
ReplyDeleteBut I agree with you; in Malay culture, we don't always get down to business. We practise people skills to some extent, and we can't jump to the topic immediately. It's only natural that we acknowledge the speaker's well-being; otherwise, you would appear selfish or rude. Plus, the "where are you?" question seems very common, it somewhat serves as a trigger to the phone call's purpose. This is of course, based on assumptive grounds: If the receiver is at school, he's probably busy. If the receiver is at home, he's probably free or bored.
I have something to share: When I speak to my Japanese friends over the phone when they were in Singapore last year, I observe that the receiver should start the conversation first by saying "moshi-moshi" or anything along that line.
Interesting observations on Malay phone openings. Can be a good topic for study.
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