While many may assume that being born in a country guarantees fluency in the native language, this isn't always the case. In fact, some individuals struggle to speak their own mother tongue despite being raised in that cultural environment.

However, a recent viral video on TikTok presents a striking contrast to this reality. The video, uploaded by user @latifahhuang, features a Chinese journalist conducting interviews with several university lecturers from various countries, all of whom teach the Malay language and speak it fluently.

The video has since captured widespread attention, with many social media users expressing admiration and pride in seeing non-Malaysians mastering the language.

@latifahhuang Bahasa Melayu Mendunia Wawancara prof bahasa Melayu dari China, Jepun dan Thailand #fyp #foryou #viral #interview #bahasamelayu #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp bunyi asal - Latifah Huang

According to the video, the lecturers hail from universities in four different countries, where they currently teach Malay as part of their academic programs. Their articulate and confident use of the language during the interview amazed many viewers, especially considering Malay is not their first language.

The first lecturer introduced in the video is Hiroki Nomoto, a faculty member at a foreign language university in Tokyo, Japan. He specializes in Malay and linguistics and is seen answering questions fluently in Malay.

The second lecturer, Saidadul, teaches at Xian International Studies University in China. Like Nomoto, he converses in Malay effortlessly, showcasing his depth of understanding and command of the language.

Next is Associate Professor Chaiwat Meesanthan, who teaches at the Faculty of Arts, Thammasat University in Bangkok, Thailand. His passion for the language and culture is evident in his smooth and accurate speech.

Lastly, the video features Professor Dr. Shao Ying, also known as Adibah, from Beijing Foreign Studies University. She teaches in the Department of Malay Language Studies and is also fluent, expressing her thoughts clearly in Malay throughout the interview.

The video has not only gone viral but also sparked conversations about the importance of preserving and appreciating one's mother tongue. For Malaysians, it served as a gentle reminder to value their own language, especially when people from abroad are making such dedicated efforts to learn and teach it.

It's heartening to see the global interest in the Malay language growing, with passionate educators leading the way across international borders.