Linguistic alternants and code selection in Baba Malay

This paper provides a brief account and explanation of the phenomenon of language use among the Baba community of Singapore. It is shown that the community utilizes Hokkien, Malay and English in the process of code selection and code‐mixing/switching. The sequential use of the three languages is especially noteworthy for the purpose of reiteration. The Babas have been a distinct group of Chinese for centuries in the former straits Settlements of Malaya (comprising Malacca, Penang and Singapore). They are mainly descendants of the first Chinese immigrants to Malaya who belonged to the Hokkien and Teochew dialect groups. The data are drawn from the recordings of conversations of the babas and nyonyas.