Zainal Abidin Ahmad (writer)

Zainal Abidin Bin Ahmad (16 September 1895 – 23 October 1973) or better known by the moniker Za'aba, was a Malaysian writer and language experts of Minangkabau origin. He modernised the Malay language with the publication of a series of grammar books entitled Pelita Bahasa in 1936 at Sultan Idris Training College. The book modernised the structure of the classical Malay language and became the basis for the Malay language that is in use today. The most important change was in syntax, from the classical passive form to the modern active form.

Biography

Born in Kampung Bukit Kerdas, Batu Kikir, Jempol, Negeri Sembilan, Za'ba received his early education at a Malay school in Linggi. He then continued his study at St. Paul's Institution, Seremban and was the first Malay to take and pass Senior Cambridge test in 1915.

Za'aba started his career by becoming a teacher at :