Bare Bear Media is proud to announce the creation of a webpage on Baba Malay also known as Chakapan Baba - the language of the Peranakans.
Baba Malay in Singapore
Baba Malay is the language of the Peranakans, also known as Straits born.
Baba Malay Today Series
I created the Baba Malay Today Series for Peranakan children.
Take a look inside the first book - Sapa, Apa, Mana
This is the Table of Contents
I introduce the word to be learnt, in this case Sapa, by providing exercises.
I introduce other similar words, in this case Apa which means what.
Then I test the knowledge learnt.
Book 7 - Chakapan Baba Pantun - coming in 2025.
Baba Malay Books
Here is the title of a Baba Malay book written by my teacher Ken Chan.
Chrita-chrita Baba
It used to be sold at Kinokuniya Singapore but sadly it doesn't seem to be available any longer. He also had some copies for sale on his website but sadly the website has since been taken down due to a lack of interest in the language.
Hence the need for books. This is the reason I am producing a new series - New Peranakan Tales - coming in 2024.
More Books to come in 2024
There is no use producing textbooks if there is nothing for the new reader to practise on. This is the reason for producing a new series - New Peranakan Tales - to complement BABA MALAY TODAY.
Introducing the first Baba Malay reader ever!
Bare Bear Media is proud to announce the launch of
Gua Pi Keday or I Went to the Shops
Launching on the 4th of September 2024
'I went to the shops and bought…’ has been a popular listening game for families for hundreds of years. Besides teaching children the rules for taking turns, this traditional past-time helps with memory and can be an invaluable aid to socialization. It is certainly one of my family’s favorite go-to activities on long car trips and before bedtime, and I can testify that it brings our family closer together.
So, it was little wonder that when the time came to create the first ever Baba Malay Reader that I fell back on an old and trusty treasure.
Gua Pi Keday or I went to the Shops, is now being used to teach the Peranakan vocabulary (kata-kata) and to introduce beginners to the 22 letters that compose the Baba Malay alphabet. Fun, educational and challenging: a new tool in the introduction of our beloved Baba Malay language.
Gua pi keday is a charming reader that not only entertains but also serves as a powerful tool for revitalising an endangered language. The book is thoughtfully put together in a way that hopefully draws younger readers, who should be the main target audience of any revitalization effort. It comprises fun elements and approaches the language in an intuitive way for learners. It is one thing to recognise that a language is threatened, and another to go beyond and do something about it. Nyonya Theresa Fuller deserves high praise for her dedication in bringing this invaluable reader to life. Her commitment to preserving an endangered language through the creation of this reader is truly commendable.
Dr Nala Lee
Author of A GRAMMAR OF MODERN BABA MALAY
More to come!
And in the meantime, here is a very important resource- a dictionary.
Baba Malay dictionary
Baba Malay Dictionary by William GweeAnd a book on grammar.
A grammar of Baba Malay with sociophonetic considerations
Baba Malay Grammar by Dr Nala LeeMore Resources Coming Soon
Music
Dondeng Sayang
Peranakan Dondeng Sayang YoutubeHelpful Links
Everything 2 Baba Malay
Everything 2 Baba Malay Website by GakThe Learning Nonya
the learning nyonyaA Straits Born People and Language by Nala H. Lee
A Straits Born People and LanguagePeranakans - Wikipedia
Wikipedia - PeranakansDefinition of Peranakan by Britannica
BritannicaInformation on Peranakan (Straits Born) Community
InfopediaCurrently, Baba Malay is on the list of endangered languages.
Endangered Languages WebsiteHistorical Trajectories of Baba Malay and Its Role in Heritage Promotion of the Peranakan Community in Singapore by Lance Wu
Synergy ArticlePeranakan Malay - Keeping the language alive - by Denise Lee
Denise Lee ArticleBaba Malay Dialect by Tan Chee Beng
Tan Chee Beng StudyA Baba bibliography : a select annotated listing of sources on the Peranakan Chinese in Singapore and Malaysia
National Library Board Singapore OnlineInteresting Peranakans
Meet some of the Peranakans actively working to save our culture.
Recently, I came across a well-researched cookbook by a fellow Peranakan.
Malaysian-born Alexius Wong, who is currently based in the USA, is a Baba whose parents hail from the Melaka Peranakan community. After 20 years of research and writing, he recently published “The Baba Nyonya Peranakans” book in which he details the history, culture, and daily practices of our precious culture, as well as sharing some of his grandmothers’ well-known recipes. He is also a blogger at www.babanyonyaperanakans.org where he recounts stories of him growing up in such a household while sharing more of his family recipes. He has also published his second book, Edible Memories, which features over 120 recipes, mostly Nyonya ones inherited from his grandmothers who were prodigious in the kitchen and expert kueh makers.
Alexius is a Spanish school teacher, pianist, writer, and photographer. His current mission is to research and document the traditions and customs that are quickly fading, hoping to make some relevant to contemporary life. He believes that we all can get in touch with distant memories through food to bring back cultural meaning and connection.
