A Manual of the Malay language by Sir Maxwell William Edward (free reads .TXT) 📕

J. lara; Bat. dara; Mak. rara; S. dara, a young woman who has just got her first child. Relationship pangkat

paṅkti (a line, row)

Race bangsa vaṃça

J. wongsa; S., Bat., and D. bangsa; Mak. bansa.

Family kulawarga

kula (family), varga (class)

J. kulawarga. Do. kulawangsa vaṃça

The few astronomical terms known to the Malays have been borrowed either from Sanskrit or Arabic, the former supplying the following:—

English. Malay. Sanskrit. Other Languages. Eclipse grahana grahaṇa J. grahana. Firmament udara

adhara (lower)

Celestial sphere

chakrawâla

chakra-vâla (horizon; a range of mountains supposed to encircle the earth and to be the limit of light and darkness)

Atmosphere bumantâra

cf. dyumantara (brilliancy)

Kw. bomantara; J. jumantara.

The heavens, æther

angkasa âkâça

Kw. and S. akasa.

The milky-way

bîmasaktî

bhîma (terrible), çakti (strength, power)

S. bimasakti; J. bimasakti, the name of a star

Pleiades kertîka

kṛittikâ (the third of the lunar mansions)

The sign Cancer in the Zodiac

mangkâra makara J. mangkara, crab. Astrology panchalîma

panchan (five)

To these may be added Râhû (Sansk. Râhu, a deity to whom eclipses are ascribed) and Kedû (Sansk. Ketu, the mythological name of the descending node, represented as a headless demon), monsters who are supposed by the Malays to cause eclipses by swallowing the moon. To denote the points of the compass the Malays have native, Sanskrit, and Arabic terms. Utâra (uttara),21 the north, and daḳsina (dakshiṇa), the south, are Sanskrit words; and paḳsina, the north, has evidently been coined by Malays in imitation of daḳsina.

The elephant is most generally known all over the Archipelago by its Sanskrit name gajah. Sanskrit terms are also used to signify the driver of an elephant and several articles used in connection with this animal. From these circumstances we may probably conclude, with Crawfurd, that the art of training and domesticating elephants was first learned by the Malays from natives of India.22

English. Malay. Sanskrit. Other Languages. Elephant gâjah gaja

J., S., and D. gajah; Bat. and Mak. gaja; Tag. gadia; Bis. gadya.

Elephant-driver gambâla-gâjah

gopâla (herdsman)

Goad

ângkus, kwâsa

aṅkuça Foot-chain ândûwân

andu (chain)

Front part of the head

gomba, kumba

kumbha

Unbroken, vicious (of an elephant); the condition called musth

meta

mada (elephant in rut)

Kw. meta, wild elephant.

Hobbles for securing the feet

sengkăla

çṛiṅkhala (a chain)

The words of command used by elephant-drivers in the Malay peninsula appear, however, to be adapted mainly from the Siamese, and it is from this people that the Malays of the continent have acquired much of their modern knowledge of the art of capturing, subduing, and training the elephant. The names of animals, birds, &c., indicate, as might be expected, that while most of the varieties known to the Malays are indigenous, there are some species which have been imported, or which, belonging to other countries, are known by name only in the Archipelago. The word morga, (mṛiga) and satwâ (sattva),23 both meaning “an animal,” are Sanskrit, and if the commoner word benâtang is derived, as seems possible, from the Sanskrit vana, forest, there is no purely native generic term to signify a beast or animal. While, therefore, the early Malay tribes had names for all the animals domesticated by them, as well as those which they encountered in their forests, it was not until the period of their intercourse with more civilised races from India that they learned to generalise and to comprehend the brute creation under one term. The following Sanskrit words for animals, &c., occur in Malay:—

English. Malay. Sanskrit. Other Languages. Lion sînga siṃha

J. and S. singa and singha; Mak. and D. singa.

Jackal srîgâla cṛigâla

Bat. sorigala; J. segawon, a dog.

Camel onta

ushṭra (a camel)

J. and Mak. unta; S. onta.

Wild bull

ândâka dhâka

Kw. daka and andaka.

Ichneumon charpalei

sarpâri (sarpa, a snake)

A small yellow snake, about a span long

chintâ-mani

chintâ-maṇi (a fabulous gem, the possessor of which gets all he wishes for)

Scorpion kâla

kâla (black)

J., S., D., and Malg. kala; Bat. kala; Mak. pati-kala.

Crow gâgak kâka

J. and S. gayak; Bat. gak; Mak. kala; D. kak.

Peacock mĕraḳ

barha, varha

J. and S. merak; Mak. muraka; D. marak.

Goose24

angsa, hangsa, gangsa

haṃsa J. ongsa; S. gangsa. Pigeon

mĕr-ăpâti, perapâti

pârâpatî

S. japati; Bat. darapati; Tag. palapati; Bis. salapati.

Eagle-falcon râjawâlî

rajjuvâla (a species of bird)

Indian cuckoo (Gracula religiosa)

kokila kokila J. kokila.

Perhaps the Malay word harîmau (Kw. rimong; Bat. arimo, tiger-cat; D. harimaung, panther), a tiger, may have been formed from Hari (Krishna or Vishnu) and mṛiga (an animal). Words similarly compounded with mṛiga (Malay morga) are not uncommon in Sanskrit, e.g., Kṛishṇa-mṛiga (the black antelope), mahâ-mṛiga (an elephant).25 The terms in use for “horse” and “sheep” seem to indicate that those animals were first brought to Malay countries from India. Kûda, horse (Kw. and S. kuda), is derived by Crawfurd from ghora (Hindi), by others from kudra (Tamul). Bîri-bîri (sheep) is said to be borrowed from the Hindi bher, which is itself derived from the Sanskrit bheḍa, a ram, or from bhîru (Sansk.), a goat. Certain fabulous birds and reptiles which belong to the domain of Hindu mythology have their places also in Malay folk-lore; such as garuḍa,26 the eagle of Vishnu, and Jaṭâyu (Malay jintâyu), a fabulous vulture; chandrawâsi, a name given by Malays to a fabulous bird which is heard but never seen, is also evidently of Sanskrit origin. To these nâga, a dragon, may be added (J., S., Bat., Mak., Bu., and D. naga).

The vegetable kingdom supplies a long list of trees, plants, and flowers which are known to the Malays by Sanskrit names. Some of these are closely connected with another group of words to be noticed presently, namely, those which belong to the department of religion. The use of sweet-smelling flowers is a noticeable feature in the religious worship of the Hindus, and the fact that many flowers held by them to be sacred to the worship of particular gods are called by Malays by the same names which they bear in the temples of India, is a remarkable example of an historical lesson latent in words. It points to the fact, abundantly proved by other evidence, that Brahmanism once held sway where it has long been superseded by the faith of Islam, and that words which have no special significance for the modern Muhammadan Malay were fraught with mystic solemnity for his distant ancestors.

In many cases, indeed, the Sanskrit names have been applied by the Malays to different plants from those designated by the same expressions in India. In other cases, names unknown in classical Sanskrit, but obviously compounded of Sanskrit words, have been given by the Malays or Javanese. The common native Malay term for “flower” is bûnga; sâri (Javanese sari, Sansk. kesara) and puspa (Sansk. pushpa) have been borrowed from India.

English or Latin. Malay. Sanskrit. Other Languages.

Michelia champaka

champaka

champaka (dedicated by the Hindus to Krishna; one of Kamadeva’s arrows is tipped with it)

J. and S. champaka; Mak. champaga.

Jonesia asoka

ângsôka

açoka (sacred to Mahadeva, and held in the highest veneration by the Hindus)

J. angsoka and soka.

Mesua ferrea

nâgasârî (Rigg supposes the Malay plant to be Acacia pedunculata; Marsden, Acacia aurea).

nâgakesara (“The delicious odour of its blossoms justly gives them a place in the quiver of Kamadeva.” —Sir William Jones) 

Jasminum sambac (jasmine)

malâtî

mâlatî (Jasminum grandiflorum27)

J. malati; S. melati.

Arabian jasmine (Nyctanthes?)

melor

mâdhura (cf. malura, Cratæva religiosa)

J. menur; Kw. menur, silver.

Ocymum basilicum (holy basil)

sulasi

tulasî (sacred to Krishna)

J. selasih and telasih; S. selasi; Mak. tolasi; Tag. solasi.

Uvaria odorata (or cananga)

kenânga

kânana28 (a forest)

J. kenonga; Mak. and Bu. kananga.

Santalum album, sandal-wood

chandâna

chandana (“Perpetually mentioned in the most ancient books of the Hindus as flourishing on the mountains of Malaya”— Sir Wm. Jones) 

J. and S. chendana; Tag. and Bis. sandana.

Plumieria acutifolia

kambôja

kâmboja (a kind of mimosa)

S. kamboja.

Nelumbium speciosum, lotus.

saroja saroja J. saroja.

Vitex trifoliata

lagundi 29

nirgandhi (“Which Bontius calls lagondi.” —Sir Wm. Jones). -Gandhi is used in the latter part of a compound word with same meaning that gandha has: “smell,” “odour”

J. legundi; Bat. gundi.

Alpinia galanga, or Curcuma reclinata

gâdamâla

gandha, smell; mâlâ, a garland

Justicia gandarusa

gandarusa

gandha, smell; rusa (Malay), a deer(?)

S. gandarusa

Hibiscus abelmoschus

gandapûra

gandha, smell; pura, calix of a flower

Mak. gandapura

Hedichium coronarium

gandasûlî gandha, smell S. gandasoli.

Liquidambar altingiana

rasamala

surasa, sweet, elegant; mâlâ, a garland

Carthamus tinctorius, safflower

kasumba kusumbha

J., S., Mak., and D. kasumba; Tag. kasubha; Bis. kasobha.

Crocus sativus, saffron

kumkumâ kuṃkuma

J. kamkuma; Mak. kuma.

Alyxia stellata; an odoriferous root used in medicine

pûlasâri

phul (Hind.), flower; sari (Javanese), from kesara (Sansk.), a flower

Tectonia grandis, teak

jâtî

jâti (synonymous with malati), Jasminum grandiflorum

J., S., Bat., Mak., Bu., and D. jati.

Pterocarpus indicus

ângsâna

asana (Terminalia alata tomentosa)

J. and S. angsana.

Borassus flabelliformis

lontar tâla

J. and S. lontar; Bat. otal; Mak. tala; Bu. ta; Tag. tual.

Eugenia jambu, roseapple

jambû jambu

J., S., Mak., and D. jambu; Bu. jampu; Tag. dambo; Bat. jambu-jambu, fringe; Bu. jambo-jambo, fringe, plume.

Mangifera indica, mango

mampelam

from Telugu, mampalam; Sansk. mahâphala, “great fruit”

J. pelem; S. ampelem.

Spondias myrobolan (or mangifera)

âmra

âmra (the mango, Mangifera indica); âmrâta (Spondias mangifera)

Punica granatum, pomegranate

dalîma

dâḍima and dâlima

Zizyphus jujuba

bidâra vidara J. widara; S. bidara.

Cucurbita lagenaria, gourd, pumpkin

lâbû alâbu S. labu; Bat. tabu-tabu; Malg. tawu.

Tricosanthes laciniosa

patôla paṭola

Cassia fistula

biraksa

vṛiksha (a tree)

Emblica officinalis

malâka

âmalaka (Emblic myrobalan)

S. malaka; Bat. malakah.

Pâlas, palâsa, and palâsang are Malay names for trees of different kinds, not one of which corresponds botanically with the Sanskrit palâça (Butea frondosa, a tree which is held by Hindus to be peculiarly venerable and holy). The preceding list affords several illustrations of a similar misuse of terms. To it might be added several words borrowed from other Indian languages, such as nânas, pine-apple (Hind. ananas), bilimbing (Tamul bilimbi), &c., &c.30

Marsden has remarked on the number of Sanskrit words expressive of the feelings and emotions of the human mind which occur in Malay, and Arabic also furnishes several. Either their synonymous native terms have been lost, or the Malays, at the period of Indian influence, had not reached that stage of civilisation when man commences to analyse and name the emotions he experiences and sees experienced by others. Good and bad qualities, in the same way and for the same reason, seem often to bear Sanskrit appellations. The following list does not profess to be complete:—

English. Malay. Sanskrit. Other Languages.

Pleasure, to be pleased

sûka sukha

J., S., and D. suka

Joy, rejoiced

suka-chita

sukha-chit (chit = thought, the heart)

Sorrow, grief

dûka

duhkha (pain)

J. and S. duka. Do. duka-chita duhkha-chit duhkha-chit

Care, anxiety, concern

chinta

chintâ (thought)

J. chipta; S. chinta; Mak. chita; D. and Tag. sinta.

Passionately in love

berâhî

virahin (suffering separation)

J. birahi. Angry murka

mûrkha (stupidity)

J. murka, greedy, dissatisfied.

Hope âsa âçâ Tag. asa. Love âsmâra smara J. and S. asmara.

Avarice, covetousness

lôba lobha

Kw. loba, voluptuous, luxurious; S. loba, abundant.

Wisdom, understanding

bûdî buddhi J. and S. budi.

Stupid, foolish

bôdoh abodha J. and S. bodo.

Wise, learned

pandei paṇḍita

J., S., and Bat. pandé.

Lazy malas alasa

Charity, benevolence

dermâ dharma

J. and S. derma; Bat. dorma, means of gaining affection.

Generous dermâwan dharmavant Fidelity setîa satya

J. satya and secha; S. sacha.

Faithful, loyal

setîâwan satyavant

Thought, to think

sangka çaṅka

To suspect, conjecture

tarka

tarka (doubt, reason)

J. and S. tarka and terka.

Blame chelâ

chhala (fraud)

J. chela; Mak. challa.

Misfortune, vile, base

chelâka

chhalaka (deceiving, a deceiver)

J. and S. chelaka; Mak. chilaka; D. chalaka.

Sin, crime

dôsa

dush (to sin)

J., S., Bat., Mak., and D. dosa.

False, untrue

dusta dushta

Merit meritorious actions

pahâla

phala (fruit, produce, result)

Kw. pahala, fruit, merit.

Happiness, good fortune

bahagîa

bhâgya (lot, fate)

J. bagya; S. bagia; Bat. badiya.

Use, value, quality

guna

guṇa (quality)

J., S., Bat., Mak., and D. guna.

Inter-tribal warfare is usually characteristic of savage tribes, and an ample vocabulary of words connected with fighting and the art of war may be looked for in a language like Malay. But though the native terms are numerous, many have also been furnished by Sanskrit, among which may be instanced the following:—

English. Malay. Sanskrit. Other Languages. Army

bâla, bâlatantrâ

bala (an army), tantra (series, offspring)

J. and S. bala. Fort kôta kûṭa

J. kuta; Bat. kuta; S., Mak., D., Tag., and Bis. kota.

Bastion, redoubt

mâlawâti 31

balavatî (strong, powerful)?

Weapon, arm

senjâta

sajjâ (armour), sajjatâ, readiness

Kw. and Mak. sanjata; Bat. sonjata; D. sandata.

Bow pânah

vâṇa (an arrow)

J., S., and D. panah; Mak. pana; Tag. and Bis. pana, arrow.

Dagger kris

kṛit (to cut, to kill)

J. and S. keris and kris; Bat. horis; Mak. kurisi; Tag. and Bis. kalis.

Discus chakra chakra Club gada gadâ J. gada. Cross-bow gandî gâṇḍiva J. gandewa. Pike sanggamâra

saṃgrâma (war, battle)

Knife churîka chhurikâ

Kw. churika, a kris.

Enemy satrû çatru J. and S. satru. Battlefield râna

raṇa (battle)

Kw. and S. rana.

Victory jaya jaya J. and S. jaya.

Among the Malays the titles of royalty and nobility, and many of the terms in use for the paraphernalia of the court, are Sanskrit. Logan supposes the native Malayan institutions to have been of a “mixed patriarchal and oligarchical” form.32 Crawfurd was not satisfied that the terms alluded to proved that Hinduism had exercised much influence on Malayan government;33 but when to these is added a long catalogue of words