“Biawak” in Malay figurative language

On 8^th March 2014, MH370 went missing. In the subsequent days, suddenly, almost everyone is a theorist, plane expert, SAR expert and a comedian. The internet has provided an open platform for the general public, including those without any thinking/rational capacity to express their thoughts and opinions, uninhibitedly.

At the height of senseless and irrational speculations about the flight disappearance, this was shared with me:

Biawak: the animal

In Malay (Malaysia), “biawak” is a type of varanus, living mostly in the forest. There are many types of its species, but a common one when spoken about in Malaysia is the monitor lizard.

The lexeme “biawak” can also be used as a verb, as in “membiawak”, which means to crawl, slither or slide (like a monitor lizard).

Connotation of “biawak” in Malay
 
Generally, the noun “biawak” carries negative connotation in Malay. This is due to the fact that a monitor lizard eats small animals, vermin, dead animals and decaying flesh (although some species do eat vegetation), and it scavenges human waste too.  It is perceived as ugly and highly temperamental. All these characteristics contribute to an unpleasant reputation.

“Biawak” in Malay figurative language

Figurative language such as similes, metaphors, idioms, idiomatic expressions and proverbs is very culturally specific. How it is structured, rhymed and intended to mean depends very much on real-world experience and perception of its native speakers. In the case of “biawak”, its status and how it is perceived are clearly depicted in how it is used in our figurative language.

i.   Simile and metaphor

Simile and metaphor	Literal	Meaning
Biawak hidup	A living monitor lizard	A useless and/or burdensome person
Bagai biawak mengulangi bangkai	Like a monitor lizard frequenting a carcass (to eat)	A man who likes to go to a brothel/immoral place; where there are immoral women, there are immoral men
Bagai lidah biawak	Of a monitor lizard tongue	A liar; an untrustworthy person
Bagai memegang ekor biawak	Like grabbing a monitor lizard’s tail	Doing something dangerous

ii.   Idiom and idiomatic expression

Idiom and idiomatic expression	Literal	Meaning
Biawak kudung masuk kampung	A legless monitor lizard entering the village	A well-known bad/immoral/ corrupt person; a thief
Mendukung biawak hidup	Carrying a living monitor lizard	An unnecessary occupation which is burdensome and/or dangerous; having a wife or child who is troublesome
Merendah terbang biawak	A monitor lizard flying low	A woman who shows herself off to men; an arrogant person
Niat di hati hendak memeluk gunung, sudah terpeluk biawak celaka/sial	One intended to embrace the mountain, but ended up embracing a wretched monitor lizard	One hoped for something good, but ended up with something bad
Menanti biawak duduk	Waiting for a monitor lizard to sit (like a human)	Hoping/waiting for something impossible

iii.  Proverb

Proverb	Literal			Meaning
Seperti biawak, masakan hilang kesatnya		A monitor lizard does not lose its roughness (of skin)	A person of no manners speaks harshly.
Bila pula biawak duduk?		When does a monitor lizard sit?	A question with an impossible answer; asking for the impossible.

As we can see above, figurative expressions associated with “biawak” in Malay all carry negative connotation and meaning; even its body parts, such as the tail and tongue. All the negative connotation is mostly due to the bad press these types of lizards is getting - perhaps the killing of livestock and/or destruction of farms. In an agricultural society, that simply means loss of means of income, and any animal which causes harm to livelihood is declared war upon.

In short, to be called a "biawak" is never a good thing in Malay.While it is an important animal in the eco-system, it is obviously under-appreciated and resented by the society. Reaction is generally hostile towards "biawak" (unless of course, you eat it, but that's a different story altogether).

References
 
Ding Choo Ming. (2009). Beberapa Sifat, Asal Usul dan Kepengarangan Peribahasa Melayu.  Sari - International Journal of the Malay World and Civilisation 27(2) (2009): 3-26

http://prpm.dbp.gov.my/. Retrieved on 1^st April 2014.

http://www.peribahasaindonesia.com/.  Retrieved on 1^st April 2014.

http://www.himpunanperibahasa.com/. Retrieved on 1^st April 2014.