The Use of Lexical Personal Pronouns in Ulu Berang Subdialect

This paper aims to examine the lexical privileges of the personal pronouns that exist in the Ulu Berang subdialect. This subdialect is a form of speech spoken by Terengganu Malays in Payang Kayu and Baong village. This subdialect is less familiar because it is used deep in the upstream interior of the Kuala Berang area of Hulu Terengganu district and is believed to have some unique lexicals used by subdialect speakers. Besides that the lexical distinctions of this subdialect is clearly different from the variant of Terengganu Malay dialect (DMT) or other Malay dialects in Peninsular. This study utilizes qualitative designs that are interviews and fieldwork methods for obtaining lexical data. This study focuses on three levels of discussion on the use of personal pronouns lexicals in Ulu Berang subdialect i.e. first personal pronouns (KGND1), second personal pronouns (KGND2) and third personal pronouns (KGND3). Lexical [ak] is deemed comfortable and familiar relationship between them. It is often used to refer to an individual as compared to [saj epsilon]. Lexical [kit.] referring to the plural marker in turn often used of all of their conversations. The use of KGND2 [m..] refers to the purpose of 'you' whereas [mumi] refers more than one, i.e. 'all of you'. Lexical [dij epsilon] is used to refer to the third person individually while [dimi] refers to the third person plural or more than just an individual person. This study provides important implications to the study of Malay dialectology and documenting Malay dialects. In addition to aiming at emphasizing variations on KGND, this study is also trying to ensure that knowledge about the lexical in Ulu Berang subdialect shall continue to be preserved, protected and known by generations to come.