I REFER to the letter “Let’s use the correct Bahasa words” (NST, Aug 4), by Mohd Faizal Abdullah of Kuala Lumpur.

“Budget” is not the only word in English that has been turned into Bahasa with a different spelling, but the same pronunciation and meaning. Consider these: “kolej” for college; “pos” for post; “kes” for case; “polis” for police, etc.

What irked me most is the English word “bank”. In Bahasa, the spelling of the word has not been changed but the pronunciation in Bahasa is “bunk” which when translated into English means a platform bed or to run away. Imagine if an Englishman were to ask a Malaysian for a bunk and he shows him the bank.

So it’s best to call a spade a spade, and a bank a bank. Unless we want to change the word “bank” into Bahasa, and the closest word, I think, is “tabong” and Bank Negara could be named Tabong Negara.

All these rojak words are unsuitable and the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka should seriously look into equivalent Bahasa words instead of changing the spelling of the English words or changing the pronunciation altogether. It is so confusing that I sometimes forget how to spell “bajet” in English.

NOR SHAHID MOHD NOR, Petaling Jaya

Source: NST – August 8, 2008