Sembang-sembang with Tan Choon Hoe, author of Loghat Hokkien Pulau Pinang 

Tan Choon Hoe

Malaysians are truly fortunate, as they have gained a reputation for their remarkable linguistic versatility. Let us consider my late father as an example, who was of Chinese descent and possessed a remarkable fluency in various languages and dialects. He could effortlessly converse in English, Bahasa Malaysia, Tamil, Hindustani, Mandarin, Cantonese and of course, Hokkien.

Hokkien, to this day, continues to be the prevailing lingua franca among the Chinese majority of Penangites. This dialect, rooted in Min Nan (Southern Min), underwent creolisation soon after the arrival of early Chinese settlers. Primarily hailing from Fujian, these settlers introduced the Hokkien dialect, which has since undergone significant evolution and deviated considerably from its original form. Present-day Penang Hokkien is a distinctive blend influenced by the incorporation of elements from Bahasa Malaysia and English, thanks to the Baba Nyonya community.

How recognisable is Penang Hokkien on a global scale? I had an interesting experience while in Sydney, engaging in a conversation with a fellow Penangite in our beloved local dialect. To our surprise, a complete stranger approached us and inquired if we were from Penang. As it turned out, he was also from Malaysia and could distinctly identify the unique traits of Penang Hokkien in our conversation. While Hokkien is spoken widely across the world, Penang Hokkien holds a distinctiveness that is typically comprehensible only to those familiar with the dialect, particularly Penangites.

However, we cannot overlook the unfortunate reality that many dialects are gradually fading into obscurity as people prioritise languages they perceive to hold greater economic value. Consequently, dialects are often neglected and forgotten, primarily due to the declining usage among younger generations.

However, there is one individual who has embarked on a courageous endeavour to safeguard and promote the usage of Penang Hokkien. Tan Choon Hoe, the renowned author of the highly acclaimed book "Learn to Speak … Penang Hokkien Dialect," has dedicated himself to the preservation and documentation of his native tongue, as well as the imparting of knowledge and instruction to others. With the recent release of his second book, "Mai Belajar Bertutur … Loghat Hokkien Pulau Pinang", Tan aspires to reach a broader audience, including the Malay community in Malaysia and neighbouring countries, with the aim of creating greater awareness and appreciation for Penang Hokkien.

Here is a conversation I had with Tan Choon Hoe, the author of "Loghat Hokkien Pulau Pinang."

Adrian: It has been five years since your first book, "Learn to Speak … Penang Hokkien Dialect." Why did it take so long for the Malay version to come out?

Choon Hoe: Work! I have to work for a living which took up a significant amount of my time. So, I worked on the Malay version gradually, making sure to craft it with learners in mind to ensure the dialect is easy to grasp. I am happy with the end result.

Adrian: Is the Malay version simply a direct translation of your English book?

Choon Hoe: Not exactly. I made did a lot of 'home improvement' and structured the lessons with the learners in mind, to make the dialect easy to grasp. The improvement is obvious with the word for word literal translation and even more vocabulary added in. Furthermore, I have also included ingredients ala P. Ramlee to make learning experience enjoyable! I am sure readers can easily identify with that.

Adrian: What are your aspirations for the Malay version of the Penang Hokkien Dialect (PHD) guidebook, and what do you hope to achieve?

Choon Hoe: My hope is that the Malay version will be equally, if not more, popular than the English book. By making both the English and Malay versions available, I aim to increase the popularity of this local dialect. Additionally, I hope that both local and foreign tourists visiting Penang will find these books interesting and helpful. Not only can they indulge in our delectable cuisine and explore historical sites, but now they can also learn the dialect. Visitors from nearby Indonesia may prefer the Malay version, while the English and American tourists may opt for the English version.

On the local front, I hope to see better interaction among the various ethnic groups and the spirit of muhibbah kept alive as this dialect can add more vibrancy and hues to our colourful culture.

Adrian: Do you have any message you would like to convey to tourists planning to visit Malaysia and specifically Penang? (Apart from, of course, encouraging them to get copies of your books from major bookstores.)

Choon Hoe:
Selamat Datang ke Pulau Mutiara,
Sambil melawat, belajar loghat,
Loghat Hokkien kawasan utara,
Kebolehan berloghat menyuburkan lagi Tanah Muhibbah.

When in Penang, learning a dialect is not only a valuable skill but also adds to the richness of your experience during future visits to Malaysia. Enjoy your time here and have a delightful journey!

Mai Belajar Bertutur ... Loghat Hokkien Pulau Pinang

This book is designed for anyone who desires to learn the Penang Hokkien Dialect, which has captivated both locals and visitors alike through its "rojak" simplicity and smoothness.

Books by Tan Choon Hoe

Not one to rest on his laurels, Tan has continued his prolific writing journey, producing a series of books in a similar vein. Among them are 'Loghat Hokkien Pulau Pinang' (2006), 'Penang Hokkien Dialect for Tourists & Penangites' (2008), and 'Penang Hokkien Dialect Conversation' (2010). Collaborating with Adrian Cheah, who designed the books and featuring delightful cartoons by Chin Mun Woh, these publications showcase Tan's dedication to preserving and sharing the beauty of Penang Hokkien.

Books by Tan Choon Hoe

In 2014, the series underwent a transformation as MPH Publishing revamped the book covers and reissued them. The refreshed editions of these books can now be found at numerous bookstores nationwide, making them easily accessible to readers who wish to delve into the world of Penang Hokkien.

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To order or for more information, contact the author and publisher, Tan Choon Hoe at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Written, 2006 and photographed by Adrian Cheah © All right reserved.
Updated, August 2017