There is another important consideration which will affect the choice of routes and of means of conveyance, and that is the question of language. The natives in the big towns and all servants in hotels and private houses speak Malay, which is the official language for communication between them and the Europeans. There is always supposed to be one man in each native village (or campong) who can speak this language. Malay handbooks are published in Singapore, and although such books cannot be _bought_, as far as I know, in Batavia, they can often be _borrowed_; or, failing this, a few necessary phrases can be written down. Such a phrase, for example, as this: _Apa nama ini?_ ("What is the name of this?") will serve to supply the place of many vocabularies. The language, which from its soft sounding has been called "the Italian of the Tropics," is very simple, and seems to consist almost exclusively of nouns (_i.e._ substantives, adjectives, and pronouns). The verb "to be" and prepositions are often omitted, _e.g. Pighi bawa ini Tuan X--_ = "Go [and] take this [to] Mr. X----;" and most substantives can be formed into verbs. Combinations of substantives are used; e.g. _Kreta api_ ("fire-carriages") = "railway." Again, many European words are adopted bodily. In _sadoe_ a Frenchman will easily recognize a corruption of _dos-à-dos_; _ayer brandy_ (or _ayer whisky_), literally "water-brandy," will present no difficulties to the average Englishman. "Butter" is _mentega_, a Portuguese word. The vowels have the same value as in the Continental languages.[5] [Footnote 5: The combination _oe_ is pronounced [_macron-u_] (or _oo_).] It is obvious that the few words and phrases necessary for everyday life can be easily acquired in such a language, and most people will find the process rather amusing than otherwise. If, however, it is desired to escape this trouble, or to gain a more complete knowledge of the ideas of the natives, a "boy" who speaks English can be secured at Batavia, who will act as valet and interpreter.[6] In communicating with the Dutch residents and the European shop-people in the towns, there is no difficulty experienced, since nearly every one can speak English; if not, recourse can be had to French or German. [Footnote 6: The cost of such a "boy" is very small (labour being one thing which is cheap in the island). He is paid from 16 to 18 florins (12 florins = £1) a month; and when travelling it is usual to give him a half-florin a day for food, otherwise the hotel charge for servants, one florin a day, must be paid.] In addition to obtaining the formal permission to travel already mentioned, in order to see native ceremonies and enjoy big-game shooting, it is necessary to get recommendations to the residents of the native regencies, and in any case it is desirable to have as many private introductions as possible.