Alternate Names: Baba, Chinese Malay, Straits Malay
Dialects: None known. It developed after 15th century from Low Malay with many Min Nan Chinese , borrowings. Regional variants between Malacca and Singapore. Partially intelligible with Standard Malay ,. It is generally believed that Baba of Malaysia is more, refined, and that of Singapore more, rough. Most learn Standard Malay and English in school. Distinct from Peranakan Indonesian ,. Baba in Melaka, Malaysia speak a Hokkien-influenced Malay creole; those in Penang, Malaysia speak a localized version of Hokkien , (2006, Tan Chee Beng).
Genealogy:
Demographics: 10,000 in Singapore (Pakir 1986). Population total all countries: 12,000. Ethnic population: 250,000 (1986).
Language Use: Mainly in the home. Mainly older adults. Also use Mandarin Chinese [cmn], Min Nan Chinese [nan], Standard Malay [zsm], Yue Chinese [yue]. Children now learn Mandarin [cmn] in school rather than Standard Malay [zsm]. Some who grew up with Chinese neighbors know Min Nan Chinese [nan], the Teochew dialect of Min Nan Chinese, or Yue Chinese [yue].
Language Development: NT: 1913.
Spoken In: Singapore
Writing System: Latin
Nation of Origin: Singapore