This volume explores the diverse linguistic landscape of Southeast Asia’s Chinese communities. Based on archival research and previously unpublished linguistic fieldwork, it unearths a wide variety of language histories, linguistic practices, and trajectories of words. The localized and often marginalized voices we bring to the spotlight are quickly disappearing in the wake of standardization and homogenization, yet they tell a story that is uniquely Southeast Asian in its rich hybridity. Our comparative scope and focus on language, analysed in tandem with history and culture, adds a refreshing dimension to the broader field of Sino-Southeast Asian Studies.

A user-friendly lexicon for both native speakers and learners of the Penang Hokkien language, this dictionary lists Hokkien words and terms, and their definitions in English, as well as literal translations, culture-specific terms and common phrases. It is the first comprehensively dictionary of Penang Hokkien and carries over 12,000 entries. The unique language of Penang Hokkien is spoken in the Northern States - Perlis, Kedah and Penang - and the east coast states of Peninsular Malaysia. Over a significant amount of time, the spoken Hokkien language has evolved and this new dictionary carefully captures the changes that have arisen. Apart from definitions in English, this dictionary offers a glossary of English words and their Penang Hokkien translations, as well as explanations and examples on how words or phrases are used. This lexicon is suitable for both natural speakers of Penang Hokkien and those who wish to be more familiar with the language.