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Code switching and code mixing have been across a variety of languages, but little is known about why they are used as communicative strategies for entertainment. This study is an attempt to fill in this gap by exploring and describing... more
Code switching and code mixing have been across a variety of languages, but little is known about why they are used as communicative strategies for entertainment. This study is an attempt to fill in this gap by exploring and describing the recent phenomenon of English code-switching in Malay songs. Based on Poplack’ Theory (1980), this study discovered two types of code switching used in Malay songs; intrasentential and intersentential code switching. The classification of the code-switching functions was based on Appel and Musyken (2006) six functions of code switching and supplemented by Nur Syazwani Halim and Marlyna Maros (2014), Oreoluwa (2013), and Bullock and Toribio (2009). Based on Appel and Musyken (2006), expressive function was found to be the most famous function whereas metalinguistic function was the least function used. Also, the findings indicated that phatic function was more suitable for intrasentential code switching and metalinguistic function was more appropri...
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Juvenile delinquency is always seen as a public health problem which needs intervention at various levels. Identifying which factors may lead juveniles to delinquency is a long-standing question among criminologists. This remains the case... more
Juvenile delinquency is always seen as a public health problem which needs intervention at various levels. Identifying which factors may lead juveniles to delinquency is a long-standing question among criminologists. This remains the case in Malaysia. There are studies that have explored the impact of problem-solving skills, low socioeconomic status, and gender differences in predicting the delinquent behavior of youth in Malaysia. However, very few studies have aimed to find an in-depth understanding of the effects of family roles and peer pressure on delinquency in Malaysia. The present qualitative research was designed to fill this gap in the literature. In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 young male prisoners (juvenile delinquents) in Malaysia to explore the influences of family life and peer pressure on delinquency. The current study showed that parental un-involvement, parent separation, peer pressure, criminal gang membership, and parents’ involvement in crime were the...
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This study has compared Islamic Religious Education (IRE) and Moral Education (ME) to identify these two subjects' innate differences. This qualitative research interviewed nine schoolteachers who were selected purposefully. Eleven... more
This study has compared Islamic Religious Education (IRE) and Moral Education (ME) to identify these two subjects' innate differences. This qualitative research interviewed nine schoolteachers who were selected purposefully. Eleven themes were generated from the analysis of the interviews that manifested the findings of this research. The research findings reveal that IRE and ME have differences in their core philosophical standpoints and instruction methods. Based on the research findings, we have suggested necessary modification of Lickona’s Model of Teaching Moral if it is to be implemented to the curriculum of IRE. This study is significant to the curriculum developer of IRE to ensure the readiness of IRE teachers in addressing issues and concern related to moral questions and judgments. Moreover, in the Malaysian multicultural context, where IRE and ME mostly taught by Muslim instructors without actually equipping them with necessary formal teachers’ training on teaching Mo...
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Teenagers can easily expose to criminal activities through media social, surrounding, and peers. They tend to imitate some of these criminal activities such as cyber bullying, fighting, cyber grooming and cyber harassment without thinking... more
Teenagers can easily expose to criminal activities through media social, surrounding, and peers. They tend to imitate some of these criminal activities such as cyber bullying, fighting, cyber grooming and cyber harassment without thinking of his or communities’ side-effect. Therefore, we develop a self-crime prevention modules encompassing faith, positivity, social relationship, role model and reflection tailored for school teens. Then, we make a list of survey questions using 4 Likert scale to measure their acceptance and adaptation after participating our self-crime module. About 105 school children aged 13-17 participated from Sekolah Menengah Titiwangsa and they responded positively with approximately 3.63 of average score.
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Research Interests: Linguistics and Routledge
Flipped classroom model has received massive attention from many researchers due to its innovative instructional strategy that offers a new perspective to the traditional classroom. However, not many studies have focused on dual language... more
Flipped classroom model has received massive attention from many researchers due to its innovative instructional strategy that offers a new perspective to the traditional classroom. However, not many studies have focused on dual language learners (DLL) who face challenges in grasping second language skills and knowledge, due to the multiple linguistic systems that they have to manage. By marrying communicative language teaching (CLT) approach with flipped technique, the present study, therefore, aims to explore dual language learners’ perception towards flipped classroom model in learning English tenses as well as their learning progress using the method. The lessons were conducted using set of culturalised interactive materials. A number of 133 intermediate learners (age 18 to 25) from a vocational college in Malaysia were selected as the research participants and data were collected using one-group pre-test–post-test design, questionnaire and interview. Pre-test and post-test gram...
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How do members of the new generation praise each other? Do they still adhere to the communication strategies prescribed in their traditional cultural values or modernization has played a role in initiating changes in peoples linguistic... more
How do members of the new generation praise each other? Do they still adhere to the communication strategies prescribed in their traditional cultural values or modernization has played a role in initiating changes in peoples linguistic behavior?The book addresses the changes in the cultural values that have emerged in the speech acts of compliments and compliment responses of native speakers of Malay in Malaysia. In the field of sociolinguistics, the discussion provides insights into the current practices of the Malay speech acts and linguistic identity among the speakers, especially after 60 years of Malaysias independence. The rapid developments in technology and cyber communication have contributed to linguistic innovation and changes in language use to a certain extent, hence calling for a look at its impact on Malay cultural values.Through empirical evidence, the book attempts to elucidate the emerging norms that indicate changes in the cultural values of the new Malays. Our ar...
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This study looks at how ESL writers establish their research territory in their introductory chapters within the Applied Linguistics discipline. Eight PhD theses from three public universities were identified and selected as sample. The... more
This study looks at how ESL writers establish their research territory in their introductory chapters within the Applied Linguistics discipline. Eight PhD theses from three public universities were identified and selected as sample. The theses were chosen based on four criteria. The two disciplines selected were social sciences and humanities. This is to make sure that the corpora are similar in terms of the variation of the textual patterns. The analysis was performed using Swales’ (1990) CARS model. This study employed a systematic analysis that balances the functional-semantic approach in the identification of moves and the constituent steps involved in a particular social event. The genre-based investigation reveals that even though the moves follow that of Swales’ (1990) CARS model, the steps are different. Apart from that, this study also finds that a step can also be realised by several sub-steps after utilising a functional-semantic analysis to coding. Based on the findings,...
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This conceptual paper provides an overview of previous studies on compliments and compliment responses in several parts of the world. It discusses compliments and compliment responses in both Western and Asian contexts and demonstrates... more
This conceptual paper provides an overview of previous studies on compliments and compliment responses in several parts of the world. It discusses compliments and compliment responses in both Western and Asian contexts and demonstrates the acquisition of similar values among respondents from different geographical regions in performing the speech act. As people are normally bound with their societies’ traditional values and norms of interaction, they are expected to perceive compliments differently and act upon it based on the strategies prescribed in their cultures. However, cultural globalization or the acquisition of common cultures due to the online social networking experience and popular culture media has modified people’s communication strategies and behavior. The acceptance of many foreign values has transformed the new generation of Malays into a modern society that appreciates differences and highly adaptable to various changes in their environment.
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This study investigates the existence of some prominent features in Malaysian Online Communicative English Language that may categorize itself as a transformation to another sub-variety of Malaysian English in online communication... more
This study investigates the existence of some prominent features in Malaysian Online Communicative English Language that may categorize itself as a transformation to another sub-variety of Malaysian English in online communication settings. This new variety, which is mutually intelligible amongst its users, may lead to the formation of a new linguistic community that is basically dominated by the younger generation. This is identified through the criteria of language variety given by early researchers, such as the influence of first language, code switching, the use of certain words and many more. By employing Virtual Ethnography, a one-year of Facebook-conversation among 120 young Malaysians from different ethnic groups, mother tongues, and cultural backgrounds was observed, and recorded. Data were meticulously examined using Content Analysis. Findings significantly suggest that Malaysian Online Communicative English has been transformed into another sub-variety of Malaysian Englis...
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Flipped or inverted classroom has become a trend and a popular method of teaching and learning in educational practice. However, not many studies have been done in the practice of teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in Malaysia.... more
Flipped or inverted classroom has become a trend and a popular method of teaching and learning in educational practice. However, not many studies have been done in the practice of teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in Malaysia. This paper discusses the use of flipped learning as a method to teach communication skills among a group of ESL learners in one higher learning institution. The study generally aims to analyse the effectiveness of flipped classroom method in enhancing students’ communication skills and abilities. The sample of respondents comprised of 75 ESL learners who were selected to undergo a five-week flipped communicative language program, which was designed to promote active learning and greater classroom engagement among its learners. Findings indicate a positive relationship between flipped teaching and active learning, thus improved learners’ verbal communication skills in certain ways.
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This paper is designed to present results of an analysis of Profanity in English lyrics. The purpose of this qualitative study is to discover type of profane words used in English songs. According to Commercial Radio Malaysia (CRM), “17.7... more
This paper is designed to present results of an analysis of Profanity in English lyrics. The purpose of this qualitative study is to discover type of profane words used in English songs. According to Commercial Radio Malaysia (CRM), “17.7 million of Malaysia’s population aged 10 years and above tune in to a radio daily” which indicates how music is easily to get access. 100 songs from Top 20 Billboard Hot 100 year 2009 until 2015were selected and analyzed in this paper. The results showed that profane words in the selected songs were falls under obscenity type with the highest frequency of 41% in the songs throughout the year. The results showed that this type of words generally found in Hip Hop, R&B and Pop genre compared to others. Keywords: Profanity, Cultivation Theory, Objectification Theory and Social Cognitive Theory on Gender Development
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Elementary Fardhu Ain’ education is an important element in moulding a Muslim’s personality because it motives the mind, emotions, wishes and actions of a person. If this element is truly assimilated into the soul, it would help develop... more
Elementary Fardhu Ain’ education is an important element in moulding a Muslim’s personality because it motives the mind, emotions, wishes and actions of a person. If this element is truly assimilated into the soul, it would help develop appropriate behaviour according to the tenets of Islam. In the Malaysian education system, Elementary Fardhu Ain’ education is a priority and is specifically mentioned in the National and Islamic Education Philosophies. It is also the basis for formulating other aspects such as worship, good conduct etc. with the hope that it would help form appropriate adolescent behaviour in PPR areas and help them become faithful Malaysians with noble values. An analysis of literature reviews related to behaviour indicated that Elementary Fardhu Ain’ has a significant relationship with adolescent behaviour formation in PPR areas. A strong Elementary Fardhu Ain’ would help adolescents attain an Islamic personality and vastly improve their level of understanding and...
Buli siber merupakan satu amalan komunikasi melalui teknologi yang bertujuan untuk mengecam, mengganggu, memalukan atau mengugut mangsa melalui perkataan yang negatif, penyebaran maklumat palsu mahupun perkongsian gambar atau video yang... more
Buli siber merupakan satu amalan komunikasi melalui teknologi yang bertujuan untuk mengecam, mengganggu, memalukan atau mengugut mangsa melalui perkataan yang negatif, penyebaran maklumat palsu mahupun perkongsian gambar atau video yang boleh menjatuhkan imej si mangsa. Buli siber merupakan satu masalah global yang memberi kesan negatif, terutamanya dalam kalangan remaja yang merupakan pengguna media sosial utama. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk membincangkan bagaimana unsur-unsur ketidaksantunan dalam berbahasa serta ketidakpatuhan etika media sosial boleh membawa kepada jenayah buli siber di kalangan remaja. Dengan menggunakan kaedah penceritaan dalam mengupas kes-kes terdahulu, kertas ini akan membincangkan tentang beberapa kejadian buli siber antarabangsa yang mendapat liputan meluas di seluruh dunia. Selain dari itu, kertas ini juga membincangkan satu kajian terdahulu yang melihat corak ketidaksantunan bahasa dalam kalangan remaja Malaysia. Untuk mencapai objektif kajian, satu siri ...
Research Interests: Physics and Humanities
Industri kelapa sawit merupakan penyumbang utama kepada ekonomi Malaysia dan memerlukan tenaga buruh yang mantap. Wagaimanapun, perkembangan dewasa ini telah menyaksikan penggunaan buruh-buruh dari luar Malaysia dan sangat kurang... more
Industri kelapa sawit merupakan penyumbang utama kepada ekonomi Malaysia dan memerlukan tenaga buruh yang mantap. Wagaimanapun, perkembangan dewasa ini telah menyaksikan penggunaan buruh-buruh dari luar Malaysia dan sangat kurang gunatenaga tempatan. Bagi mengatasi masalah pengangguran dan kekurangan pekerjaan, kerajaan perlu melihat bagaimana penduduk tempatan boleh menyumbang kepada pengeluaran dan kelestarian industri ini dan tidak hanya bergantung kepada buruh asing. Salah satu caranya adalah dengan meningkatkan pengetahuan belia kepada industri kelapa sawit di Malaysia serta memberi galakan kepada mereka untuk menyertai latihan tenaga mahir dalam industri ini. Persepsi bahawa golongan belia di Malaysia tidak berminat untuk menyertai bidang kerja kelapa sawit memerlukan kajian terperinci untuk memastikan sikap dan pengetahuan sebenar mereka terhadap industri ini. Permasalahan ini menjadi asas kepada objektif kajian ini untuk mengenalpasti sikap belia Malaysia dalam menyertai ind...
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Semangat perpaduan merupakan elemen penting dalam mengekalkan keharmonian dan kemakmuran dalam kalangan generasi muda pelbagai bangsa di Malaysia. Oleh itu artikel ini disediakan bertujuan untuk (1) mengukur tahap semangat perpaduan dan... more
Semangat perpaduan merupakan elemen penting dalam mengekalkan keharmonian dan kemakmuran dalam kalangan generasi muda pelbagai bangsa di Malaysia. Oleh itu artikel ini disediakan bertujuan untuk (1) mengukur tahap semangat perpaduan dan (2) mengenal pasti faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi semangat perpaduan dalam kalangan remaja B40 yang tinggal di kawasan perumahan rakyat di Malaysia. Kajian dijalankan dengan menggunakan reka bentuk tinjauan keratan-lintang secara kuantitatif. Seramai 244 orang remaja B40 yang tinggal di tiga buah kawasan perumahan iaitu di perumahan Rakyat Desa Rejang, Pantai Ria dan Seri Pantai telah dipilih sebagai responden kajian. Data kajian telah dianalisis dengan menggunakan ujian deskriptif dan regresi pelbagai secara stepwise . Analisis deskriptif menunjukkan bahawa majoriti (59.8%) remaja B40 yang tinggal di kawasan perumahan rakyat menunjukkan semangat perpaduan yang sederhana sahaja dan perlu dipertingkatkan. Analisis regrasi pelbagai pula mendapati baha...
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This article describes how today's youth are those categorized as Gen Z and Millennials who were born and brought up in the Information Age. As it brings benefits, the Internet could also cause harm if it is misused. Using a system... more
This article describes how today's youth are those categorized as Gen Z and Millennials who were born and brought up in the Information Age. As it brings benefits, the Internet could also cause harm if it is misused. Using a system theory approach, the GENIUS Remaja community program was introduced to address concerns particularly among at-risk youth living in the city. This is done by giving them healthier alternatives for their choice to channel their energy. This chapter will share the success stories and also the challenges in the implementation of the GENIUS Remaja community program in Malaysia.
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Research Interests: Psychology and Spelling
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This conceptual paper provides an overview of previous studies on compliments and compliment responses in several parts of the world. It discusses compliments and compliment responses in both Western and Asian contexts and demonstrates... more
This conceptual paper provides an overview of previous studies on compliments and compliment responses in several parts of the world. It discusses compliments and compliment responses in both Western and Asian contexts and demonstrates the acquisition of similar values among respondents from different geographical regions in performing the speech act. As people are normally bound with their societies' traditional values and norms of interaction, they are expected to perceive compliments differently and act upon it based on the strategies prescribed in their cultures. However, cultural globalization or the acquisition of common cultures due to the online social networking experience and popular culture media has modified people's communication strategies and behavior. The acceptance of many foreign values has transformed the new generation of Malays into a modern society that appreciates differences and highly adaptable to various changes in their environment.
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Men and women speak differently as their linguistic behavior reflects their gender identity and signifies their position in the society. This article discusses the conversational style of men in the online communication environment, using... more
Men and women speak differently as their linguistic behavior reflects their gender identity and signifies their position in the society. This article discusses the conversational style of men in the online communication environment, using the Kiesling's framework of men's language. A documentation of naturally occurring conversations on Facebook was made over a 12-month period whereby data is categorized and analysed using Content Analysis, WordSmith Tools 5.0 and MS Word Advanced Find Function. Purposive sampling was employed in selecting the participants. The sample consisted of 60 males and 60 females to allow for comparison. Language produced by the male participants, however, remained as the central issue of the analysis as well as discussion. If Kiesling's framework discusses men's language from the western sociocultural perspectives, findings of the present research indicated a list of variables of men's discourse in the specific context of the Malaysian online communication environment. Apart from that, the findings have demonstrated some culturally-embedded elements of power, dominance, and homosocial solidarity as well as a strong use of masculine speech forms in this specific context of male's interaction. Finally, the findings have also suggested some significant aspects of men's discourse in the specific context of the Malaysian online communication environment. ABSTRAK Lelaki dan wanita bertutur secara berbeza disebabkan tingkah laku bahasa yang mencerminkan identiti jantina dan menandakan kedudukan mereka dalam masyarakat. Kertas kerja ini membincangkan tentang gaya perbualan lelaki dalam persekitaran komunikasi dalam talian di Malaysia. Dapatan kajian dianalisis dengan menggunakan kerangka bahasa lelaki yang disarankan oleh Kiesling. Dokumentasi perbualan yang berlaku secara semula jadi di Facebook telah dibuat dalam tempoh 12 bulan di mana data dikategorikan dan dianalisis menggunakan kaedah analisis kandungan, WordSmith Tools 5.0 dan MS Word Advanced Find Function. Kaedah persampelan bertujuan telah digunakan dalam memilih peserta. Sampel kajian terdiri daripada 60 lelaki dan 60 perempuan untuk tujuan perbandingan. Bagaimanapun, bahasa yang dihasilkan oleh peserta remaja lelaki kekal sebagai isu utama analisis serta perbincangan. Jika rangka kerja Kiesling ini membincangkan bahasa kaum lelaki daripada perspektif sosial and budaya barat, hasil kajian ini menunjukkan senarai pembolehubah wacana remaja lelaki dalam konteks persekitaran komunikasi dalam talian di Malaysia. Selain itu, hasil kajian telah menunjukkan beberapa elemen budaya terpendam seperti kuasa, dominasi dan perpaduan homososial serta penggunaan perkataan maskulin dalam interaksi khusus kaum remaja lelaki di Malaysia. Akhir sekali, dapatan kajian ini juga telah mencadangkan beberapa pembolehubah penting wacana remaja lelaki dalam konteks persekitaran komunikasi dalam talian di Malaysia. Kata kunci: Kuasa; dominasi; perpaduan homososial; bahasa remaja lelaki; interaksi atas talian
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Netspeak refers to the language used in any online communication environment such as chat rooms, Facebook, or Twitter. By drawing on John Dewey's concept of habit formation, Baron believes that after years of constant use of Netspeak,... more
Netspeak refers to the language used in any online communication environment such as chat rooms, Facebook, or Twitter. By drawing on John Dewey's concept of habit formation, Baron believes that after years of constant use of Netspeak, language learners will naturally employ the features of this language into their formal writing practice [1]. This would happen when language violations such as spelling mistakes and the misuse of punctuations or capitalization have become acceptable and fossilized in learners' formal writing activities. This study will present findings of a research, primarily aimed at investigating the fossilization of errors in writing among ESL (Malaysians) and EFL (Jordanians) learners due to the aforementioned phenomenon. Two research methods were employed: a questionnaire that was designed based on Selinker's theory of interlanguage and the factors contributing to the use of lexical features of Netspeak, and semi-structured interviews. Questionnaires were administered to 300 participants; 150 Asian students from one public university in Malaysia (representing the ESL learners) and 150 Middle East students from the Irbid National University, Jordan (representing the EFL learners). This study managed to provide some valuable insights on the issues, by demonstrating some new perceptions and ideologies pertaining to the ignorance of language consistency in formal writing practice, resulting from a constant use of Netspeak in the online communication environment.
Language variations between men and women are among the issues that have become research subject matters for so many years. Men and women are said to behave differently in their styles of conversation, especially when performing certain... more
Language variations between men and women are among the issues that have become research subject matters for so many years. Men and women are said to behave differently in their styles of conversation, especially when performing certain speech acts. This chapter is an attempt to discuss the modern conversational style of women’s speech in the online communication environment by using the traditional approach of Women’s Language proposed by Lakoff (1975), from a different perspective.