This paper documents some Malay 'rules of speaking'and articulates their connections with
Malay cultural values, using the new theory of 'cultural scripts' developed by Anna
Wierzbicka. Aspects of the preferred Malay discourse style, which is normally described as
refined, restrained, and charming, are shown to be linked with the Malay social emotion of
malu 'shame, propriety', with the personal qualities of maruah 'dignity'and harga diri 'self-
esteem', and with the ideal of senang hati '(lit.) easy heart'. It is argued that the cultural …