The Influence of Mandarin on the Understanding of the Malay Classifier "Biji" Among the Chinese Community in Peninsular Malaysia
Abstract
Classifiers play a significant role in the daily interactions of Malaysians as they reflect the nation’' ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversity. The Malay classifier "biji" is commonly used for small and round objects, especially fruits. However, previous studies point to a decline in classifiers comprehension across generations. This study aims to identify the level of understanding of the classifier "biji" among the Chinese community in Peninsular Malaysia and to analyse the influence of Mandarin based on Lado's (1957) theory of transfer and interference. A questionnaire was administered to 400 native speakers of Malaysian Mandarin Chinese from four geographical zones in Peninsular Malaysia. The questionnaire items were constructed using definitions and examples from authoritative Malay classifier dictionary to ensure validity. The findings indicate that the level of understanding of the classifier "biji" among the Chinese community in Peninsular Malaysia is low and has not reached a satisfactory standard. In terms of Mandarin influence, negative transfer occurred more frequently than positive transfer. Mandarin was found to contribute to negative transfer for all classifiers examined, except for the use of "biji" referring to commonly known small and round objects. These findings provide important implications for the pedagogy of teaching Malay and Chinese as second languages, particularly in relation to the semantic influence of learners’ first language.
Keywords: Malay classifier, biji, Peninsular Malaysia, Malaysian Chinese community, level of proficiency, contrastive analysis
Full text: PDF
References
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2. Adams, K. L., & Conklin, N. F. (1973). Towards a theory of natural classification. Dlm. C. Corum, T. C. Smith-Clark & A. Weiser (Pnyt.), Ninth Regional Meeting of the Chicago Linguistic Society (hlm. 1–10). Chicago Linguistic Society.
3. Aikhenvald, A.Y. (2000). Classifier: A typology of noun categorization devices. Oxford University Press.
4. Allan, K. (1977). Classifiers. Language, 53, 285–311.
5. Anwar Ridhwan, & Lai Choy. (2008). Kamus penjodoh bilangan daya. Penerbit Minda (M) Sdn. Bhd.
6. Anwar Ridhwan, & Lai Choy. (2010). Kamus kembangan. Penerbit Minda Sdn. Bhd.
7. Asmah Haji Omar. (1972). Numeral classifiers in Malay and Iban. Anthropological Linguistics, 14(3), 87–96.
8. Asmah Haji Omar. (2008). Ensiklopedia bahasa Melayu. Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.
9. China Daily. (2022). https://cn.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202207/26/WS62df7baca
3101c3ee7ae0d41.html
10. Chung Siaw Fong. (2010). Numeral classifier buah in Malay: A corpus-based study. Language and Linguistics, 11(3), 553–577.
11. Conklin, N. F. (1981). The semantics and syntax in numeral classification in Tai and Austronesian [Tesis kedoktoran yang tidak diterbitkan]. University of Michigan.
12. Corpus of Center for Chinese Linguistics Peking University. http://ccl.pku.edu.cn:8080/ccl_corpus/search?q=%E4%B8%80%E6%A0%B9%E9%BB%84%E7%93%9C&startTime=&xiandaiStartTime=&endTime=&xiandaiEndTime=&dir=xiandai&start=0&num=50&index=FullIndex&outputFormat=HTML&encoding=UTF-8&maxLeftLength=30&maxRightLength=30&orderStyle=score&LastQuery=&scopestr=
13. Craig, C. G. (Pnyt.). (1986). Noun classes and categorization. John Benjamins Publishing Company.
14. Ellis, R. (1994). The study of second language acquisition. Oxford University Press.
15. Erbaugh, M. S. (1986). Taking stock: The development of Chinese noun classifiers historically and in young children. Dlm. C. Craig. Benjamins (Pnyt.), Noun Classes and Categorization.
16. Fraser, J., Fahlman, D. W., Arscott, J., & Guillot, I. (2018). Pilot testing for feasibility in a study of student retention and attrition in online undergraduate programs. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 19(1), 260–278. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v19i1.3326
17. Gil, D. (2013). Numeral classifiers. Dlm. M. S. Dryer & M. Haspelmath (Pnyt.), In the world atlas of language structures online. Leipzig Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology.
18. Guo Xianzhen. (2002). Xiandai hanyu liangci yongfa cidian [Dictionary of modern Chinese classifiers usage]. Beijing Yuwen Chubanshe.
19. In, J. (2017). Introduction of a pilot study. Korean Journal of Anesthesiology, 70(6), 601–605. Issues and challenges. Malaysian Journal of ELT Research, 14(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2017.70.6.601
20. Khazriyanti Salehuddin, & Winskel, H. (2008). Malay numeral classifiers: Sketching its conceptual representation from a native speaker’s perspective. Paper presented at SEALSXVI: 16th Meeting of the Southeast Asian Linguistics Society (2006), E6, 65–74. (Online) Dicapai pada 7 Mei 2008 daripada http://www.pacling.com/catalogue/SEALSXVI_Final.pdf
21. Khazriyanti Salehuddin, & Winskel, H. (2009). An investigation into Malay numeral classifier acquisition through an elicited production task. First Language, 29(3), 291–313. https://doi.org/10.1177/0142723709103187
22. Khazriyati Salehuddin, & Winskel, H. (2011). Object categorisation using Malay shape-based numeral classifier categories. GEMA Online Journal of Language Studies, 11(3), 53–68. http://www.ukm.my/ppbl/Gema/GEMA%20vol%2011%20 (3)%202011/pp53-68.pdf
23. Khazriyati Salehuddin, & Winskel, H. (2012). Malay numeral classifier usage in caretaker-child talk. GEMA Online Journal of Language Studies, 12(1), Special Section, 89–104. http://www.ukm.my/ppbl/Gema/GEMA%20vol%2012%20(1)%20Special%20section%202012/pp_89_104.pdf
24. Khazriyati Salehuddin, & Winskel, H. (2016). Classifier usage and cognitive categorization in Malay: An experimental approach. GEMA Online® Journal of Language Studies, 16(1).
25. Khazriyati Salehuddin, Winskel, H., & Imran Ho Abdullah. (2013). Developmental patterns in Malay shape-based numeral classifier comprehension. Pertanika Journal of Social Science and Humanities, 21(4), 1309–1326.
26. Khazriyati Salehuddin, Winskel, H., & Marlyn Maros. (2011). The pragmatic functions of numeral classifiers in modern Malay written corpus. GEMA Online Journal of Language Studies, 11(2), 137–153. http://www.ukm.my/ppbl/GEMA%20vol%20 11%20(2)%202011/137-153.pdf
27. Lado, R. (1957). Linguistics across cultures: Applied linguistics for language teachers. University of Michigan Press.
28. Lee Jin Feng. (2009a). Qiantan hanyu malaiyu liangci de yitong. Wenjiao Ziliao. 36–37.
29. Lee Jin Feng. (2009b). Hanyu Malaiyu liangci bijiao yanjiu. Kejiao Wenhui. 262–264.
30. Lee, Y. (1997). Classifiers in Korean [Tesis kehormatan yang tidak diterbitkan]. Australian National University, Canberra.
31. Li Xingjian. (2010). Xiandai Hanyu liangci guifan cidian [Standard dictionary of modern Chinese classifier]. China Hebei Jiaoyu Chubanshe.
32. Liaw Yock Fang (1999). Malay grammar made easy: A comprehensive guide. Times Book International.
33. Liu Pei Hua. (2014). Hanyu Malaiyu liangci duiying guanxi ji jiaoxue yanjiu [Tesis sarjana yang tidak diterbitkan]. University Xiamen, China.
34. Liu Ziping. (2013). Hanyu liangci dacidian [Comprehensive dictionary of Chinese classifiers]. Shanghai Lexicographical Publishing House.
35. Malmqvist, J., Hellberg, K., Möllås, G., Rose, R., & Shevlin, M. (2019). Conducting the pilot study: A neglected part of the research process? Methodological findings supporting the importance of piloting in qualitative research studies. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 18, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406919878341
36. Marnita, R. (1996). Classifiers in Minangkabau [Tesis sarjana yang tidak diterbitkan]. Australian National University.
37. Ng Chwee Fang, Awang Sariyan, & Yap Ngee Thai. (2024). A dictionary-based comparative study of the Chinese “个 (gè)” and the Malay “buah” numeral classifiers. Issues in Language Studies, 13(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.33736/ils.5658.2024
38. Ng Chwee Fang. (2024). A comparative analysis of the Chinese classifier “粒lì” and the Malay classifier “biji” from the perspective of typology. Shijie Huawen Jiaoxue, 12, 197–241. https://xianxiao.ssap.com.cn/member/home/member_id/408169
39. Nik Safiah Karim, Farid M. Onn, Hashim Haji Musa, & Abdul Hamid Mahmood. (1986/2008). Tatabahasa dewan edisi ketiga. Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka.
40. Odlin, T. (1989). Language transfer: Cross-linguistic influence in language learning. Cambridge University Press.
41. Othman, B. (2004). Penjodoh bilangan. Aneka Publication & Distributors Sdn. Bhd.
42. Pillai, S., & Ong, J. Y. (2018). The acquisition of Malay among Chinese learners in Malaysia:
43. Pusat Rujukan Persuratan Melayu. (t.t.). https://prpm.dbp.gov.my/Cari1?keyword=biji
44. Richards, J. C, Platt, J., & Weber, H. (1985). Longman dictionary of applied linguistics. Longman Group Limited.
45. Sanches, M. (1977). Language acquisition and language change: Japanese numeral classifiers. Dlm. B. G. Blount & M. Sanches (Pnyt.), Sociocultural Dimensions of Language change (hlm. 51–62). Academic Press.
46. Tai, James H. Y., & Wang Lianqing. (1990). A semantic study of the classifier tiao (條). Journal of the Chinese Language Teachers Association, 25(1), 35–56.
47. Teo Ai Min. (2003). Penjodoh bilangan bahasa Melayu dan bahasa Cina: Satu analisis kontrastif dan analisis kesilapan [Tesis sarjana yang tidak diterbitkan]. Universiti Malaya.
48. Teo, Y. Y. (2015). Bahasa Melayu sebagai bahasa kedua dalam kalangan pelajar Cina: Analisis terhadap penguasaan morfologi dan sintaksis. Jurnal Bahasa, 15(2), 103–118.
49. Zainuddin Dirin. (2000). Kamus penjodoh bilangan untuk KBSR. Fajar Bakti.
50. Zainuddin Dirin (2014). Kamus penjodoh bilangan. Oxford Fajar Sdn. Bhd.
51. Zhang, Y. & Schmitt, N. (2014). Incidental acquisition of Chinese measure words through reading. Language Teaching Research, 18(3), 333–355.
Published
2025-11-28
How to Cite
CHWEE FANG, Ng; ABU BAKAR, Mukhlis.
The Influence of Mandarin on the Understanding of the Malay Classifier "Biji" Among the Chinese Community in Peninsular Malaysia.
Jurnal Bahasa, [S.l.], v. 25, n. 2, p. 343-370, nov. 2025.
ISSN 2462-1889.
Available at: <http://jurnal.dbp.my/index.php/jurnalbahasa/article/view/9144>. Date accessed: 08 jan. 2026.
doi: https://doi.org/10.37052/jb25(2)no6.
Section
Articles
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