Persepsi “Dijajah” Terhadap Inggeris Dalam Novel Melayu: Kajian Berimbangan (Contrapuntal Reading)

Abstract

This article aims to examine the perception of "colonized" towards the English in the context of colonization. In examining a wide range of texts in the Malay novel entitled "Salina", this paper points to Edward W. Said's approach to "contrapuntal reading" as one way of approaching Malay novels that embrace the Western and Eastern discourses, cultures and perspectives of humankind as a result of Imperialism. By looking at a novel contrapuntally, we take into account intertwined histories and perspectives. Contrapuntal Reading, a phrase borrowed from music, was developed by Edward W. Said and refers to two independent yet harmonious lines in a music composition that are transposed into the social world. "Salina" is a novel written by Abdul Samad Said, a well-known Malaysian writer. The novel narrates the story of Singapore in the postwar period. However, by reading Salina contrapuntally, it is found that beyond the vivid descriptions of people's life after World War II, Salina has embraced both Western and Eastern discourses. Cultures and perspectives that can be traced from the texts show the Malay perception of English and education. This paper attempts to trace the connection between Imperialism and culture and its impact on perception.