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On Sex, Drugs and Good Manners: Raja Ali Haji as Lexicographer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 October 2002

Jan van der Putten
Affiliation:
Opleiding TCZOAO, P.N. van Eyckhof 3, Postbus 9515, 2300RA Leiden, Netherlands. [email protected]

Abstract

The first monolingual Malay dictionary was compiled by Raja Ali Haji out of concern that the Malay language and culture were in a process of ongoing degeneration. He also included words referring to sex and bodily functions so that Malays would know when and where not to use them. The dictionary is thus a refreshing alternative to somewhat Victorian-inspired dictionaries from the nineteenth century.

Type
Articles
Copyright
© 2002 The National University of Singapore

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