Gay means Girang in Malay?

I just read a fanfiction written by an Indonesian about Malay language used by Malaysian.

I don't know if this is a common belief or misunderstanding (that 'gay' means 'girang' in Malay) by Indonesians but I'd like to correct this misunderstanding.

So, I am a Malaysian and... let's just say that 'girang' is not the right word to use to describe a gay person AT ALL. At least, I've never heard anyone call them like that since I was born 25 years ago in Malaysia as a Malaysian.

The usual words to describe them are 'gay', 'homo', and 'homoseksual'.

But if the guy is also effeminate, then other more often used words to describe them are 'pondan', and 'mak nyah' (if the guy also crossdressing as a woman).

You might also heard the word 'jambu' came up in a conversation sometimes. 'Jambu' is a fruit. However, when used in a conversation to describe someone, 'jambu' means a guy that looks really cute/pretty, often to the point of could easily be mistaken as a girl. This term can be used regardless of that person' actual sexual preference.

Just for clarification, all those words I mention above are NOT in English except maybe 'gay'.

The word 'girang' for Malaysian actually holds the same meaning as to how Indonesian understand them which is 'gembira', or 'riang'.

The author wrote that he/she found out that 'gay' means 'girang' in Malay by using Wodeng dictionary. I don't know that dictionary but I think the reason he/she got the whole thing confused is this:

The word 'gay' in English actually holds several meanings.

The first, refers to people with homosexual orientation.

The second meaning for the word 'gay' is 'merry', 'cheerful',  'jolly', 'joyful', 'blithe', or 'mirthful' which literally means 'girang' as in 'gembira', or 'riang' when translated into Bahasa Malaysia and Bahasa Indonesia.

So, yes.. 'gay' really means 'girang' if written in the right context.

The gag the fanfiction's author wrote definitely addresses these different meaning of the word 'gay' but in the end he/she still got it wrong.

I hope the author would get it after reading the review (which is similar to this post) I've sent to her.