Malay

Malay is an Austronesian language spoken primarily in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. It is one of the official languages of Malaysia and Brunei, and it is also widely spoken in parts of Indonesia and Singapore. Malay is written using the Latin script, with some variations in spelling and pronunciation across different regions. It has a rich literary tradition, with works dating back to the 14th century, and it has influenced other languages in the region, such as Indonesian and Malaysian English. Malay is a tonal language, with five distinct tones that can change the meaning of a word. It has a subject-verb-object (SVO) word order and a relatively simple grammar structure. Malay has a vocabulary that is heavily influenced by Sanskrit, Arabic, and other languages, reflecting the historical and cultural interactions of the region. Despite its diversity, Malay is mutually intelligible across its various dialects, making it a lingua franca in Southeast Asia.