Growing up in Malaysia, everyone had to learn Bahasa Melayu, the country’s official language. I’ll admit that I didn’t always like Bahasa Melayu classes or the essay – or “karangan” – homework that we got. I rarely speak, write or read it now but on occasion, I come across articles or statements in Bahasa Melayu, and I’m pleased that I can still understand them fully.

On Friday, I opened up my freshly delivered WaPo and the Weekend pullout guide had the Bahasa Melayu word, “PERCUMA” (per-choo-ma, it means free) prominently featured. But “percuma” is also a Bahasa Indonesia word, so maybe that’s the language that the editors had in mind.

Either way, it’s nice to see something that reminds me of home, even if it’s just one word.

—Klarmane

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