Thang Siew Ming& Barbara Sinclair (Eds) Learner Autonomy: Research and Practice in Malaysia and Singapore Pearson Longman, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, 2009

This book uniquely explores the concepts of learner autonomy and self-access learning in the field of language learning in the South East Asian context. It provides a compilation of carefully selected examples of recent research and practice written by professionals based predominantly in Malaysia and Singapore. 

Until recently, the assumption that what might be called the ‘Western concept of autonomy’ could successfully be transferred to educational contexts in other parts of the world remained largely unchallenged.  This book has as its premise that learner autonomy may be interpreted in different ways in different cultures and contexts and that there is a need to employ theoretical concepts and principles of practice in learner autonomy which match the specific needs of learners in specific contexts.

This collection of articles provides an experience-based source for educators, curriculum developers and other professionals wishing to develop programmes that can encourage and support the development of greater autonomy in language learning in ways which are more specifically relevant to the needs of South East Asian learners. It also contains important and useful insights for trainee teachers and students majoring in the field of language studies who are interested in current thinking and practice in learner autonomy.
 

Ganakumaran Subramaniam. 2008. Ideological Stylistics and Fictional Discourse. Cambridge Scholars Publishing: Newcastle upon Tyne

This book focuses on ideology and its function in fictional discourse, exploring the link between textual ideologies and the real ideologies in the text production environments. It attempts this through a specific focus on the social and linguistic elements that control the presence, the use, and the presentation of ideology, and also the way in which linguistic elements are controlled and manipulated by the collective consciousness of the text producer. This correlation between fictional discourse and ideology is revealed through a series of chapters that cover four closely interrelated areas, focusing specifically on Malaysian and Singaporean fiction. 

Firstly, the positioning of Malaysian and Singaporean literatures in English as individual literary traditions. This is to counter the non-recognition of Malaysian and Singaporean literatures as individual traditions in spite of five decades of independence.  Secondly, establishing a contextual (socio-cultural and political) framework as a basis for discussion on real ideology, arguing that Malaysian and Singaporean writers have moved beyond the anti-western nationalistic stage and on to more personal and communal concerns such as race relations, identity and a sense of belonging. Thirdly, rationalising the social structures of ideology that are likely to be found in the Malaysian and Singaporean social milieus, especially location and text-specific social variables of ideology. Lastly, it seeks to reveal a linguistic-oriented approach for the study of textual ideologies and for linking textual ideologies to ideologies in the overall text production environment. 

The book ultimately shows the significant possibilities of systematic links between textual ideology, and the real ideology in the text production environment, through what can best be termed as ideological stylistics. In doing so, it aims to contribute significantly to studies of ideology in general and more specifically on ideology on Malaysian and Singaporean literatures in English.
 

Gerard Bodeker, Hood Salleh, Ruzy Suliza Hashim, Christof Janieke, Joerg Gruenwald, Zurinawati Zainal Abidin (eds): Health and Beauty from the Rainforest: Malaysian Traditions of Ramuan. Singapore: Editions Didier Millet, 2009.

The concept of ramuan (meaning a mix of ingredients in Malay) is ingrained in the Malaysian mentality. Referring to the herbal mixtures that Malaysians regularly imbibe to promote health, beauty and balance in their daily lives, it can also refer to the mix of cultures that comprise modern-day Malaysia. It is this rich knowledge and culturally diverse system that the book covers in depth. It postulates that these ancient secrets, healing wisdoms, age-old recipes and health-giving practices, culled from 100 percent natural sources, are more relevant today than ever before. Indigenous, Malay, Chinese and Indian traditions that have adapted in Malaysia’s diverse rain forest environment are all showcased in depth, with a particular emphasis placed on women’s health.

Assembled for the first time in one single collection  and drawing on years of work by a team of Malaysian and international scholars, traditional healthcare practitioners and scientists  the book contains a plethora of new insights into natural ways to maintain health, vigour and radiance. In addition to historical and sociological assessments of the practices, there is also a long chapter on where to go to experience some of these age-old formulae. Increasingly finding their way into spas in Malaysia be it a Malay-style spa, a Traditional Chinese Medicine practice, an Ayurvedic retreat or an establishment offering some or more or the above it is an industry to watch out for. The book outlines what to expect in these spas  what to look out for, where to go, what is special on the menu. Furthermore, the box copy that is liberally interspersed throughout the book will intrigue readers.

Taking the form of individual explanations of key botanicals, historical anecdotes and stories, in-depth analyses of plant science, first-person accounts and more, they add colour and variety to what is already a rich and detailed book. Up-to-date statistics and what to expect in the future form the conclusion. The overall aim of any of Malaysia’s ramuan is the optimisation of mind, body and spirit: whether the experience is geared towards fitness, beauty, rejuvenation, longevity, relaxation and stress reduction or a combination thereof  is irrelevant. It is thought that anybody interested in alternative health, natural products, spa treatments, the environment and ancient healing will benefit from the book. It is truly a treasure trove of valuable information  and the time is right to share this with the world.
 

Koo Yew Lie. Language, Culture and Literacy. Bangi: Fakulti Sains Sosial dan Kemanusiaan, 2008.

Multicultural communicators are situated within the complex intersections of indigenous knowledge, globalisation, postmodernism, modernisation, corporatisation, commodification, internationalization and the international movements of learners-workers-citizens. These complex discourses needs to be renegotiated by meaning-makers in changing times, where space and time is compressed and where communications technologies and mobility has radically transformed what is to be, to learn and to know.   In this regard, we need to consider imaginative discourses and a forest of literacies to transform our society and classrooms into sustainable knowledge based communities honoring the heritage and resources of indigenous communities whilst interrogating the global and the contemporary for transformative lives in global contexts. We need to search for more equitable and socially just spaces, classrooms and societies beyond our 'naturalised' and taken for granted membership in extreme and dominant neoliberal capitalist contexts. In striving towards worlds of productive diversity and an inclusive and sustainable planetary globalism, a pluralist and Pluriliteracy perspective on language, culture and literacy is important as it is forged, conceived and situated in the folds and cracks of diversity and difference characteristic of multilingual meaning-makers who live in intersecting spaces. This volume represents an attempt to situate diverse ways of looking at questions around language, culture and literacies in multicultural contexts for multilingual and pluralist meaning-makers. Some chapters discuss the particular challenges to dominant views of language and literacy in the face of the complex, diverse and often conflicting needs and visions of cultural communities, situated at once and together in global-local, vernacular-cosmopolitan contexts. Other chapters explore complex ways of being, meaning-making, learning and teaching as possibilities in the diverse and overlapping environments of media, society and education where negotiation of difference are diversity are required literacies for the demands of the postmodern world.
 

Nor Hashimah Jalaluddin, Noraini Ibrahim & Norsimah Mat Awal. Bahasa Inggeris Sebagai Bahasa Kedua: Masalah dan Cabaran. Bangi: Fakulti Sains Sosial dan Kemanusiaan, 2008

Buku ini berusaha mengetengahkan masalah penguasaan bahasa Inggeris di kalangan pelajar sekolah menengah rendah. Penerbitan buku ini tertitik tolak daripada penyelidikan dan pemerhatian turut serta di tiga buah sekolah di selatan tanah air. Kajian mendapati hampir 70% pelajar masih menghadapi masalah menguasai struktur asas bahasa Inggeris seperti soalan preposisi, kopula be, subject-verb agreement (SVA), penanda jamak, klausa relatif, superlatif, adverba dan artikel. Kesemua aspek yang tersenarai ini merupakan perkara asas dalam bahasa Inggeris itu sendiri. Kegagalan menguasai perkara asas ini akan mempengaruhi penguasaan BI pelajar secara keseluruhan. Kelemahan pelajar dalam BI turut juga dipengaruhi oleh faktor luaran. Faktor malu, persekitaran yang kurang mendesak mereka menggunakan BI, bahan pembelajaran komponen sastera yang kurang sesuai dengan minat mereka telah menambah burukkan lagi keadaan. Namun demikian pelajar-pelajar ini bersikap positif terhadap BI itu sendiri. Mereka suka dengan aktiviti dalam kelas dan cara pengajaran oleh guru. Namun demikian, kelemahan mereka dalam menguasai perkara asas dalam bahasa itu telah menjadikan subjek ini sangat sukar untuk dipelajari. Kajian mendapati guru-guru yang berlatarbelakangkan ilmu linguistik, mempunyai pedagogi yang mantap serta suasana pembelajaran yang memberangsangkan mungkin dapat membantu menambahkan lagi minat mereka pada bahasa Inggeris.
 

Nor Hashimah Jalaluddin & Rusmadi Baharudin. Leksikologi dan Leksikografi Melayu. Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, 2008.

Buku ini ialah himpunan esei yang dibentangkan dalam Persidangan Antarabangsa Leksikografi dan Leksikologi Melayu.  Persidangan antarabangsa ini telah berjaya mempertemukan pengamal kamus, ahli akedemik dan pengguna kamus untuk saling bertukar-tukar maklumat dengan idea yang bernas dan ilmiah. Tatacara penyusunan dalam bab ini adalah berdasarkan tema.  Buku ini boleh dibahagikan kepada empat bahagian, iaitu, leksikografi, leksikologi, pangkalan data berkomputer dan  pengajaran kamus.  Bahagian leksikografi melihat kelahiran, perkembangan dan penyebaran kamus itu sendiri.  Kamus yang dibincangkan tidak terhad kepada kamus ekabahasa malah dwibahasa juga.  Bahagian leksikologi pulamembincangkan penerapan ilmu linguistik.  Maklumat fonologi, morfologi dan semantik telah dibincangkan dengan meluas.  Ternyata ilmu linguistik mampu membntu pekamus  menyelesaikan masalah tatabahasa yang berkaitan dengan entri.  Teknologi maklumat hari ini banyak membantu pekamus menjana data.  Data yang diberikan lebih autentik.  Pangkalan data merupakan bank terbaik bagi melicinkan lagi pengurusan maklumat dalam kamus.  Ini dapat dilihat dalam bahagian tiga buku ini.  Manakala bahagian terakhir dalam buku ini ialah mengenai bagaimana kamus dapat digunakan dalam pembelajaran bahasa.  Kamus sebagai pintu masuk utama bahasa seharusnya dapat membantu guru dan pelajar mempelajari bahasa dengan lebih mudah. Buku ini sesuai dibaca oleh pengamal kamus, ahli akedemik, guru dan pecinta bahasa.  Banyak gagasan bernas berkaitan kamus telah ditulis.  Tambahan pula tokoh-tokoh perkamusan dari dalam dan luar negeri turut menyumbang kepakaran mereka.  Gabungan antara ilmu yang disajikan dengan penulis berwibawa menjadikan buku ini wajar dijadikan rujukan berguna.
 

Rosniah Mustaffa & Noorizah Mohd Noor: Kesilapan Tatabahasa Inggeris Utusan Publications and Distributers Sdn Bhd, 2008

Buku ini meneruskan konsep pengajian unik yang menerangkan tentang tatabahasa Inggeris dalam bahasa Melayu. Panduan diberi tentang pelbagai jenis kesilapan yang sering dilakukan tanpa disedari. Contoh-contoh yang diberi dilengkapi dengan penerangan yang mudah difahami. Antara kesilapan yang paling ketara ialah kesilapan penggunaan jenis perkataan, penggunaan tenses, maksud dan ejaan, sentence connectors, pemilihan perkataan dan lain-lain kesilapan penggunaan tatabahasa: ini termasuk dalam konteks Malaysian English, phrasal verbs dan perbezaan ejaan antara British English dan American English. Buku ini sesuai untuk sesiapa yang ingin mempertingkatkan kemahiran mereka dalam bahasa Inggeris tetapi menghadapi masalah memahami penerangan tatabahasa dalam bahasa Inggeris. Menggunakan bahasa Malaysia yang mudah, buku ini dapat mendorong pembaca untuk mendalami tatabahasa Inggeris dengan kaedah pengajaran yang bukan tradisional tetapi berkesan.