Is the Baba Nyonya a doomed minority? A preliminary study on the vitality of Baba Malay in Melaka (Malaysia)

The main aim of this article is to assess the present level of language vitality for Baba Malay, a Malay variety spoken by Melaka's Baba Nyonyas (also known as Peranakan Chinese or Straits Chinese), the oldest Chinese community in Malaysia. This has been done through a survey on language use and attitudes where the answers provided by the younger and older respondents have been compared (apparent time), and through the parameter of ethnolinguistic vitality known as EGIDS (Expanded Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale). After an introduction and a short outline of language vitality in Malaysia and of the Baba Nyonyas and their heritage language, the article describes in detail the methodology employed followed by an analysis of the results obtained and a discussion on the Baba Nyonyas's linguistic repertoire and the endangered status of their heritage language. In the conclusion, some general considerations and some advice are offered for the maintenance of Baba Malay.