Nonfiction by Stefanie Shamila Pillai

The Voices of Contact Languages in Asia: An Introduction

For multilingual writers, choosing to write in their heritage languages can be seen as an expression of agency, an active choice to communicate in a nondominant language.

Fiction by Melaka Portuguese Oral Tradition

The Gut Demons

“When you go in search of food, you must do so at night, and you must only go with your head and intestines.”

Translated from Melaka Portuguese by Sara Frederica Santa Maria

Poetry by Francis C. Macansantos

Eyes of the Wave

Eyes of blue-green watch you, / Dimpled smiles hidden in water.

Translated from Zamboangueño Chavacano by Francis C. Macansantos

Poetry by Francis C. Macansantos

Mr. Marcos (A Soliloquy)

The moon taunts, smiles, / “Come into my parlor, old man.”

Translated from Zamboangueño Chavacano by Francis C. Macansantos

Poetry by Nironjini Pillay, Shagina Bhalan, Nadarajan Mudalier, & Mahendran Pillay

Pantun

We are known as the Chetti of Melaka, / Guardians of tradition and culture.

Translated from Chetti Malay by Nurul Huda Hamzah and Stefanie Shamila Pillai