Some notes on the Kelantan Dialect, and some 
comparisons with the Dialects of Perak 
and Central Pahang, | 
By A. J. STURROCK. 
The variations and differences of dialect are of course found in 
1. Vocabulary. 
2. Pronunciation. 
3. Distinct usages of word and phrase. 
1. Vocabulary. 
In this respect the dialects of Perak and Pahang are little 
different: the Kelantan dialect differs widely from both. Taking 
in the first me the personal pronouns, 
(a) “I” is in Perak sahaya 
téman 
aku. 
in Pahang sahaya 
kawan (colloquially). 
in Kelantan sahaya 
hamba (most common colloquially). 
Thus the word “ sahaya”’ is found in all three dialects, but its 
~ use in Kelantan is very uncommon indeed, so uncommon that it is 
probably an imported word. It is useful as a polite and less 
humiliating variant to “hamba’’ when an inferior is addressed. 
The word ‘“téman’”’ is unknown in Kelantan: and “ kawan,”’ 
though found, is clearly an importation from Pahang 
In the written language “ beta’’ is used in Perak, “ sahaya’’ 
and “kita” in Pahang, and “ kita’”’ in Kelantan. Of course this is 
not a rule without exception: for as the customs and languar> 
of the more advanced West become known in Kota Bharu, sc 
the variants of the other states are found gradually to creep in. 
' both the written and spoken dialect. Perak is acknowledged to 
be the leader of fashion and to be worthy of imitation in most 
respects. 
(6) “You” is Perak in mika 
kamu. 
in Pahang awak. - 
in Kelantan kita (polite). 
diri 
mu (much as kamu is Perak). 
kamu (which is coarse). 
This use of kita may be common to the Northern States, but it 
has not come to my notice except in Kelantan. “‘Diri’’ is also quite 
commonly used: and “mu,” rather coarse, is purely colloquial, and 
Jour. Straits Branch R. A. Soe., No. 62, 1912 
ie 
