Struggle in Malaysia to save Kristang, a dying centuries-old language spoken by 2000 people
- Kristang was developed after the Portuguese took over the strategic port city of Malacca 500 years ago
- Unesco, which lists languages in peril, classifies Kristang as ‘severely endangered’
Children in colourful outfits sing in a creole of Portuguese and Malay during a class in the historic Malaysian city of Malacca, part of efforts to stem the decline of the centuries-old language.
The youngsters chant bong atardi mestri (good evening teacher) and work their way through songs including Bunitu siara siorus (Beautiful ladies and gentlemen) and Gato do matu (The jungle cat).
Sara Santa Maria runs the weekly classes at her home to ensure the younger generation learn Papia Kristang, one of several steps aimed at preserving an endangered language spoken by people of mixed Portuguese and Malaysian ancestry.
“I definitely fear Kristang could disappear,” the 50-year-old teacher said.
“Many Eurasians have moved out of the settlement and the children only speak Malay and English,” she added, referring to an area of Malacca that has traditionally been home to speakers of the language.
Kristang developed after the Portuguese took over the strategic port city on the Malacca Strait, one of the world’s most important shipping routes, about 500 years ago and colonisers married local women.
