USE OF THE KELANTAN DIALECT BY THE CHINESE IN KOTA BHARU

Abstract

Use of the Kelantan dialect by the Chinese in Kota Bharu, Kelantan was examined in the various domains of interaction. When the variables of Topic, Place (Locale) and Addressee were studied independently of each other in their interactions, it was found that the Chinese subjects' use of the dialect variety is very much dependent upon the Addressee and less so by the Topic and Place (Locale) of the communicative event. The addressee's race and the role relationship obtaining between the speaker and the addressee proved to be crucial elements in influencing the Chinese individual's use of the dialect variety. Investigations into other variables; age, sex, education level, occupation, socioeconomic status, in relation to the use of the dialect by the Chinese further revealed usage patterns conforming to the social construct of the larger community, of which these Chinese are a part of. Forming the minority ethnic group in a Malay majority community, the Chinese are very much influenced by the presence of the Malays within their midst. This is evidenced in their employment of the Kelantan dialect.