Editing Manglish (section)

== Particles ==
{{more citations needed section|date=February 2012}}

=== ''Lah'' ===
The ubiquitous word lah ({{IPA|en|lɑ́||generic=yes}} or {{IPA|[lɑ̂]}}), used at the end of a sentence, can also be described as a particle that simultaneously asserts a position and entices solidarity.

Note that 'lah' is often written after a space for clarity, but there is never a pause before it. This is because originally in Malay, 'lah' is appended to the end of the word and is not a separate word by itself.

In Malay, 'lah' is used to change a verb into a command or to soften its tone, particularly when usage of the verb may seem impolite. For example, "to drink" is "minum", but "Here, drink!" is "minumlah". Similarly, 'lah' is frequently used with imperatives in Singlish, such as the command, "Drink lah!" (Come on, drink!).<ref name="star">{{cite news |last=Lim |first=Chin Lam |title=Primer on Manglish |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Viewpoints/Mind-Our-English/Profile/Articles/2011/10/14/Primer-on-Manglish/ |access-date=5 January 2015 |work=The Star |date=14 October 2011}}</ref> 'Lah' also occurs frequently with "Yah" and "No" (hence "Yah lah" and "No lah"), resulting in a less brusque sound, thus facilitating the flow of conversation.

It is also possible that Lah comes from Cantonese. In Cantonese, Lah ([[:wikt:啦|啦]]) is placed at the end of a sentence in imperatives making it sound more like a request than an order.

It might have Tamil origin as well. Lah is still used widely in Southern Tamil Nadu (Thirunelveli, Kanyakumari district) in the same manner. Tamil is said to be more pure in this region than northern Tamil Nadu and had ancient trade link with south east Asia.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.asiaoceania.org/pdf/BG/57-OBG-M220.pdf |title=Maritime Contacts on the Coromandal Coast |last=S. Rajavelu |date=n.d.  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060211033522/http://www.asiaoceania.org/pdf/BG/57-OBG-M220.pdf |archive-date=2006-02-11 |access-date=2008-02-02}}</ref>

Lah is often used with brusque, short, negative responses:
*Don't have lah! (Brusque response to, "Lend me some money, can?")
*Don't know already lah! (Brusque response to someone fumbling with an explanation. Mostly by Chinese.)

Lah is also used for reassurance:
*Don't worry, he can do it one lah – Don't worry, he can get it done.
*It's okay lah – It's all right.

Lah can also be used to emphasize items in a spoken list, appearing after each item in the list but is not commonly used in this context. 
*They got sell Nasi Lemak lah, Roti Canai lah, Chapatti lah; Everything got lah!

Although lah can appear nearly anywhere, it cannot appear with a [[yes–no question]]. Another particle should be used instead. For example:
*Where are you ar? (This is especially of Chinese origin.)<ref name="star" />

The Chinese influence in Manglish, however, can be seen among other races in Malaysia, especially when conversing with Chinese-speaking people. This principle can be generally applied to all forms of non-standard English spoken in Malaysia.

===''Loh''===
'Loh' or 'lo' (囉) is used in the same context as "lah". It serves as a final particle to intensify a decision that is definitive and irrevocable.

In most cases, loh is used in direct response to a question or query with the connotation that the respondent is somewhat impatient or annoying because the person thinks that the answer is so obvious that the question should not have been raised from the start. In fact, the questioner might have no idea beforehand about the rude reply that would be shot back to him/her, though it can be argued that the word 'lah' might deliver stronger emotions from the speaker.

For example, to show argumentative mood or making emphasis, one would say, "You lo (it's your fault), if it's not for you we wouldn't be in trouble now!" and possibly in response, the other would say, "Eh, I never forced you to follow me here loh!" Another example is "traffic jam loh!" when asked by a friend why he or she is late to an occasion.

Sometimes, loh is used to express insincerity while speaking, for instance when one says "sorry loh" or "thank you loh".

However, in some cases, the use of loh is only intended to give an advice without any notion of impatience. Examples: "I think he's being unreasonable loh" or "if you ask you will know loh".

In lesser cases, using "loh" can make some emphasis or convey a jovial atmosphere. For example, "I came all the way for you loh" and "Nah, that one loh, that fat chubby one in a yellow shirt loh".

"Loh" is mostly used by the Chinese community in Malaysia, because of its Cantonese origin.

===''Meh''===
"Meh" is commonly used at the end of a question. It is usually used with a sense of confidence in his or her own statement but the hint of doubt towards the other person. For example," I like her, can not meh?" (meaning "I like her. What's wrong with that?").

"Meh" is of Cantonese origin (咩). In Cantonese or Hakka, "meh" is a final particle that transforms statements into questions that indicate doubt or surprise.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/characters/563/ |title=咩 |website=CantoDict}}</ref>