Anitha Devi Pillai

Singaporean Malayalam: the Presence of a Hybrid Language Anitha Devi Pillai

Malayalees are the second largest sub-group within the Indian community in Singapore. The first Malayalee immigrants arrived in Singapore in the 1930s. Over a period of time, there has been a gradual shift in the linguistic proficiency and choice of matrix language amongst speakers. Singaporean Malayalam has emerged as a new code amongst second and third generation Malayalees. The new code is a result of a long-term contact with the local languages and culture. Research into language choices and language use amongst tri-generational Singaporean Malayalee families show that there is a need to analyze language use from a microscopic perspective in order to document contact-induced changes and to track future changes to the language. It is hoped that this book will generate more interest and research into the multilingual lives of Singaporean Malayalees.