When it comes to boycott of everything American, I wish to call for a boycott of a different kind which to my mind, is more profound because this may hurt the US in a big way. It would also be a good soul-cleansing exercise on our part, all Malaysians.
My suggestion is we should ban the use of American English in this country in whatever form and return to Queen's English.
You may not agree with me but American English (especially the one used by those American rap singers) is the medium of a decadent popular culture while Queen's English is still a tool for great literature, culture and good manners.
Just look at how we have become everything American - the way we talk, the way we eat, the way we sing, the way act, the way we dress, all which reflect decadence.
I hate watching some bimbo on TV presenting (surprise, surprise, the English Premier League football, speaking American English and exposing her navel while their male yobs don't even tuck in their shirts, especially the long-sleeved one).
And just look at Tony Fernandes, the AirAsia chief, who wear his red baseball hat even in an indoor formal function in the presence of the prime minister or deputy prime minister. Had he done it at a golf club or a club with strict dress code, he would have been blackballed a long time ago.
Thus, due to the preponderance of American English we have come to a point where Malaysians now practically think, talk, discuss and argue, breathe, eat, drink and dress like Americans.
And this means our young people are spending billions of ringgit every year consuming American popular culture in the form of food and lifestyle which we can well do without. This is also depicting that we Malaysians are nothing but a bunch of pak turut , ‘monkey see, monkey do’.
The worst part of American English is that of late, it has been hijacked by African American artistes who have injected their own kind of English, many a time accompanied by obscene expressions which are then being copied by our pop groups.
If at all we want to pursue English as a language of communication, science, art and culture, why can’t we stick with Queen’s English which continues to insist on proper grammar and the correct of use of words?
Not ‘bread’ (for money) ‘pig’ or ‘heat’ (for policemen) etc, of American English, etc.
Or why can’t we make a big leap forward by dumping English altogether and adopting French or German which are equally good as a language for science.
And after all, French cuisine is far superior to the American hotdog or burger.
