One Language and Its Two Alphabets

Bahasa Melayu’s journey through two writing systems

A street sign in Malaysia using both Jawi and Rumi alphabets — copyright CC

I am currently re-learning Quranic Arabic.

Tajweed, the method of learning to recite Quranic Arabic, is an art and a science. It is the practice of reciting the Quran with the correct pronunciation, tone and rhythm.It has been a whirlwind of an experience.

Over two years of weekly classes, and I think I’m finally getting the hang of it. Like how to roll the sides of my tongue upwards towards my teeth to sound “Ḍād” (ﺽ). And how to give each letter its due rights in tempo and pace.

You would think I was a novice at Arabic to have started from the very bottom. In reality, I have recited the Quran all my life.

But it was only recently that I discovered that I have been reciting it wrongly all this while.

My grandmother was my main tutor growing up.

My childhood home was a multi-generational household with my grandparents at the helm. After retiring as a teacher, my grandmother took on the role of my personal Quran tutor.

I remember going to my room after dinner and there she would be, eagerly waiting to begin our daily lesson. I would recite out loud and she would correct me — and this would be our routine for the next few…