How to Use Reported Speech and Indirect Speech in Malay

Understanding Reported Speech in Malay

Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is used to convey what someone else has said without quoting their exact words. In Malay, reported speech is commonly used in everyday conversation and writing, and it often involves changes in pronouns, verb forms, and time expressions.

Basic Structure of Reported Speech

In Malay, reported speech typically follows the pattern: Subject + kata kerja pelapor (reporting verb) + bahawa (that) + clause. The word bahawa is often used to introduce the reported clause, similar to 'that' in English.

Example:
Direct speech: Dia berkata, "Saya suka makan nasi."
Reported speech: Dia berkata bahawa dia suka makan nasi.
(He said that he likes to eat rice.)

Common Reporting Verbs (Kata Kerja Pelapor)

• berkata (to say)
• menyatakan (to state)
• mengaku (to admit)
• bertanya (to ask)
• menjawab (to answer)

Changes in Pronouns and Time Expressions

When converting direct speech to reported speech in Malay, pronouns and time expressions often change to fit the context of the reporting.

For example, the pronoun saya (I) in direct speech usually changes to dia (he/she) or mereka (they) in reported speech, depending on the subject.

Time expressions also change, for example:

• hari ini (today) becomes hari itu (that day)
• esok (tomorrow) becomes keesokan harinya (the next day)

Examples of Reported Speech in Malay

Here are some examples illustrating how direct speech is converted into reported speech:

• Direct: Ali berkata, "Saya akan pergi ke pasar esok."
  Reported: Ali berkata bahawa dia akan pergi ke pasar keesokan harinya.
• Direct: Siti bertanya, "Adakah kamu sudah makan?"
  Reported: Siti bertanya sama ada saya sudah makan.
• Direct: Mereka berkata, "Kami suka belajar bahasa Melayu."
  Reported: Mereka berkata bahawa mereka suka belajar bahasa Melayu.

Using Indirect Questions in Malay

Indirect questions are a form of reported speech used to report questions without using the exact words. In Malay, indirect questions often use the word sama ada (whether) or question words like apa (what), siapa (who), di mana (where), etc.

Example:
Direct question: Dia bertanya, "Di mana kamu tinggal?"
Indirect question: Dia bertanya di mana saya tinggal.
(He asked where I live.)

Tips for Mastering Reported Speech in Malay

• Pay attention to pronoun changes to match the subject of the reporting sentence.
• Adjust time and place expressions to fit the context of the report.
• Use bahawa to introduce statements and sama ada or question words for indirect questions.
• Practice by converting direct speech sentences into reported speech regularly.