Sry cnt mk it

We have become a text messaging world. We can't spell anymore. We type a message without vowels. Sometimes even our email messages are cut short. My PR professional friend said she took a few reads of my text message before she "got it". She said she's a PR freak - everything must be spelled out in full. She just wasn't used to my txt lng (aka "text language").

Me? I do both. I text message in shortened form and type emails in full spelling, with correct grammar. I even had to learn text language in Indonesian because of work. I don't know all the codes. Some are still a mystery to me. Some of my Indonesian friends even write Facebook posts in shortened text code. Most of them I can figure out because all they do is remove all the vowels unless absolutely necessary to retaining the meaning of the word.

But the point of the article is that we no longer keep to appointments because of the ease and distance of text messaging. When before we had to meet face-to-face or telephone to make or book an appointment, some people actually think it perfectly fine to cancel the pre-arranged appointment minutes before the appointed time. We don't feel bad or sorry for doing so because messaging is not all that personal after all.

What's happened to our culture of politeness and etiquette? Do we not value our word anymore? Maybe the issue is deeper than just text messaging, but a complete disregard for personal integrity and human relationship. I was told that for a couple from a particular religion to divorce, all the husband needs to do is send a text message three times to his wife saying that he "rejects" her. So sad. I feel for the wife. Does he not have any decency to at least say it to her face? I wonder. How the culture of that religion has changed because of the introduction of technology.

Indeed, technology has changed our lives completely. Instead of talking face-to-face, we "talk" with our fingers on a gadget, even if we're sitting next to each other! Can we no longer open our mouths to speak? I talked about this "chatting" idea sometime ago. We have become beings who are so good at being impersonal, yet so connected all the time.

Give me face-to-face interaction anytime. I love sitting down with friends for long chats over a glass of water. Nothing fancy, but deeply satisfying.

Let's bring back the culture of human interaction!

Fun Language Tools

Scissors, Paper, Stone

I love comics! They make me laugh and fill me with a sense of wonder at the different way people can look at life. Some of the stories are so real and universal in nature ... just like this one!

As a child growing up in Singapore, I used to play "Scissors, Paper, Stone" with my friends. It was not just a game. Often we used it to see who would go first in another game. Friends in neighbouring Malaysia played the same game.

As an adult living in Cmabodia and working among young people, I found them playing exactly the same game! I felt most at home because it was something I was familiar with from my childhood. We were from different generations, cultures and languages, but our game was exactly the same. They too used the game as a means of seeing who would go first in another game.

Then I read this comic strip. The cartoonist, Jim Toomey, is an American. The comic strip is set in Micronesia. The characters are all sea creatures. Yet, here they are playing the same game as I did as a child! And the same game as my young Cambodian friends were playing! Granted the sea creatures called one of the items a "rock" instead of a "stone", but what's the difference anyway?

We may be so very different from each other - language, culture, physical appearance, etc - but we have at least one thing in common - this game! Are we so different after all? I wonder...

But since this game requires us to have at least knowledge of the words scissors, paper and stone/rock in another language before we can play it with those from another culture, we still have to learn a new language. It isn't such a chore. You'll get to learn so many other games in that culture!

Learn a language, embrace a new culture!

Fun Language Tools

Language of my ancestors touches my heart

I came across this article in yesterday's newspaper. The writer is ethnically Chinese with parents speaking 2 different Chinese dialects in their childhood: Cantonese and Hakka.

Chinese dialects are probably mis-named as "dialects" because one dialect group cannot communicate with the other. China has 56 major ethnic groups, each with its own distinct language and culture. Most of the languages use the same Chinese writing system, with some variations of "local characters" that do not exist in Mandarin, the national language. If presented with a short written text, a Cantonese and a Hakka will read the same text in very different sounds, yet capture the exact same meaning of the text. The same goes with other Chinese dialects. Perhaps this is one uniqueness of the Chinese language(s).

Yet, as the writer pointed out, in his adulthood, he has chosen to try and learn the dialects of his parents, so that the older folks would not have to switch from Cantonese or Hakka to Mandarin when speaking to him, and he would not be left in the dark when the family was having a conversation in one of those dialects. In my opinion, his desire to learn about the culture of his grandparents and ancestors has also touched the heart of his older relatives.

Today, very few Chinese Singaporeans aged 35 years and under can understand the dialect of their parents. Thanks to a very effective "Speak Mandarin Campaign" in Singapore, even non-Chinese Singaporeans can speak very good Mandarin. I still belong to the generation of those who can at least understand several dialects spoken in Southern China, from where most of our ancestors come. Some of my classmates are more comfortable conversing in Teochew (one of the dialects) than in English, despite all of us having attended English medium schools.

At the end of the day, it all boils down to what our heart language is. Learning the language of our parents enriches our lives with traditions and customs that we would never know if we never learned their language. It gives us the key to touch the hearts of distant relatives in the "motherland" and allows us to pass down traditions to the generations that follow.

I am so grateful to my primary school classmates who taught me rudimentary Teochew and Hokkien (2 Chinese dialects), and to my maternal grandmother who spoke to me in Cantonese almost all the time, even though she spoke perfect English. None of those may be my heart language, but my heart is warmed every time I hear those languages spoken, and I understand what is going on! It's a feeling that cannot be described.

There may not be any books on how to learn the language of your parents or ancestors, but don't wait too long to learn. Grab the opportunity while you can. Your life will be so much richer because of the language.

Happy learning!

Fun Language Tools

Learn a language? Read the Bible

I am so excited! My Scottish-Australian friend wrote in Facebook today that she's reading the Bible in Spanish. This is what she wrote: "I'm reading the bible in Spanish. Do I know Spanish? Not at all but I will by the time I have read it all."

Now how many people in this world would make such an effort? Not many. I do know several languages, but I've read the Bible in those languages simply because I've already learned the language, and therefore, have an understanding as I read the Bible. Of course, whatever I don't understand, I either look at the English version or ask a native speaker what the word or phrase means. What my friend is doing is simply amazing. I salute her for her efforts! May she be enriched and blessed by the language and the content of the Word of God.

The best part of her endeavour is not just learning Spanish, but she will be able to appreciate the nuances of translation and be able to do comparative studies of Bible verses in English and Spanish. One of the blessings (and loads of fun too!) of reading the Bible in different languages is having my eyes and mind opened to the richness of the meaning of a sentence. Different words or phrases may be translated (from the original Hebrew or Greek text) differently because of the limitations of the language. As a result, reading the same text in different languages opens up a fuller meaning of the content. On the other hand, it sometimes shows the inadequacy of translation too. But, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.

Let me give an example: Genesis 22:14b: "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided." 创世记二十二：14b: “在耶和华的山上必有预备。” (Chinese version: on Jehovah's mountain there is definite provision.) Kejadian 22:14b: "Di atas gunung TUHAN, akan disediakan." (Indonesian version: on the Lord's mountain, there will be provision.)

I could quote the same verse in other languages, but I wanted to show that the same short sentence translated into different languages from the original Hebrew, come out differently. If I read only 1 language, I would understand the text, but not receive the full meaning because of my limitation in language. So, after reading this verse in 3 languages, what do I understand about God's provision? That as long as I am on God's mountain, He will provide for me - it could be there already, or to come later - but there is definite provision. My understanding is enriched and my heart is at rest.

So take up a challenge today! You can choose to learn a language, then read the Bible, or choose a language that uses the same writing script as your native language, and plunge right into the Bible. Whichever route you choose, you will emerge better for it.

Happy learning!

Fun Language Tools

Same Same But Different

Does this scene look familiar? I see it all the time, everywhere. Not just teens or young people, but children, working adults, middle-aged folks, even the elderly. We're practically glued to our mobile devices. A lecturer once said of her niece, "Like any teenager, her cell phone is an extension of her hand." Well, it's not just teenagers anymore.

Today's newspaper supplement called "Digital Life" had an editorial by the editor saying that he misses taking public transport because he can't play games, interact with his friends or listen to music all at the same time, while driving a car. In a country where public transport is the norm, I completely agree with him.

What has our world come to? I was chatting over Skype with an Australian friend yesterday. I said that his friend has all my contact info: cell phone number, email, skype, Facebook, but we still have yet to meet in person, even though I was the one who helped get her settled into Singapore and into a local church! A few South African friends visiting Hong Kong for the first time commented that everybody in the train (including old folks) were playing games on their phones. In South Africa, on the other hand, people would be talking to each other, even if they were perfect strangers.

Different cultures of the world are vastly different. Each of us in different countries do things that outsiders will never understand. We even speak different languages that have to be learned. Yet, we really are the same - united by technology and global brands such as Apple and Samsung. Mobile devices can be found even in a remote village. So what next? Are we different or the same?

I would like to maintain the good things of tradition and custom, while wholeheartedly embracing the new technology. I still want to learn languages to touch the heart of a people group - something technology can never do. We are human after all. So, let's reach out to a new culture today! Enjoy learning! Fun Language Tools

Christmas? In September???

Christmas??? Isn't it a bit early? It's only October! What do you mean "Christmas"?!

On 1 Sept 2011 and 2012, my friend Mike from The Philippines, posted on his Facebook status, "Do you hear what I hear? Christmas carols ..." And suddenly I realised that September has come, even though my brain was still somewhere in August.

In The Philippines, the Christmas mood begins as soon as "It's '-ber' already". The names of the last 4 months of the year all end with the suffic "-ber" i.e. SeptemBER, OctoBER, NovemBER and DecemBER. So a few years ago, when my Filipina friend living in Vietnam said that her boys helped her put up the Christmas tree in mid-November, I commented that she wasn't "Pinoy" (Filipino term for Filipinos) enough because she was 2 months late!

As our world becomes increasing global, Christmas has become less and less religious and more and more commercial. Do Cambodians and Vietnamese really know where Christmas came from and why the stores are decorated with cotton wool and spray foam posing as snow? Why the name "CHRISTmas" anyway? Why exchange gifts and go Christmas shopping? Who is the fat man in a red suit (aka Santa Claus)?

Many questions which I am not going to answer because all this can be found by doing a Google search. What I do want to point out is that different countries around the world celebrate Christmas differently. Each of us has our own traditions and customs passed down from generation to generation. Each custom and tradition must be appreciated differently and celebrated with joy and laughter. Children love Christmas because of gifts. Do they know how different people celebrate it? Since Christmas is about giving, consider giving the gift of learning this Christmas. A book will be treasured for many years to come.

Find pretty picture books on cultures of the world for children here.

Happy Christmas shopping!

Fun Language Tools

Embrace a new culture today!

The writer of this article, Linda Collins, has lived in Singapore for about 20 years. She writes about her experience as a newly arrived expat in Singapore. She moved into a local neighbourhood and was promptly invited to a Malay neighbour's family wedding. Because she had never been here (and probably never read up about Singapore and the diverse culture), she was surprised at every turn. Everything was new and to be appreciated. She's obviously loved it so much that she and her family stayed on for so long.

I read Linda's occasional column with great delight. (We used to have a regular Sunday column written by expats living in Singapore, but that has since been changed to an occasional article. Much to my disappointment.) She describes local culture to a "t", sometimes pointing out things that we locals take for granted and therefore, fail to appreciate.

I love how she describes a Chinese funeral, followed by a Malay cleansing ritual, then the Malay wedding, all in a short read. She was thrown into culture before she could even ask questions. But, how she embraced all the differences and colours immediately! Like my friend Liz Stuart, Linda came to Singapore with an open mind. Maybe a bit fearful at first, but how they reached out and jumped right into Singapore culture and life with two feet. And it looks like they'll both be here for a long time more!

Moving to a new culture isn't always easy. Singapore is a mix of both east and west. My American friend who travels to India regularly (and lived in Singapore for 4 years) said that Singapore was always a welcome respite after a trip to India. She absolutely loves India! But "a break would be nice".

I still believe that preparation for that transition into the new culture will help greatly, though never 100%. Reading up on the culture and learning a bit of the language before getting on the plane, will make a difference between disaster and sheer delight. Get a book today! Going cross-cultural is always fun! Prepare your children too! Children adapt so much faster than adults. Get the whole family involved. A book is a great Christmas gift too! Happy learning experiences!

What's a "Gnat Gninja"?

Earlier this week, I was a bit concerned about a friend's use of the word "ninja" that I wrote this post on what the word ninjameans in Asia and how words have taken on different meanings in different parts of the world.

Today, I was pleasantly surprised to see this photo with the comment: "So......we have a gnat infestation at work. Thankfully one of my I.T. Colleagues is especially adept at swatting the little buggers......earning him the title of: — 'Gnat Gninja'" I had a good laugh. So creative! Made my day!

In this particular case, I have to agree with the use of "ninja" as someone who is skilled at something. This "Gninja" is an expert at swatting gnats!

The curious thing about the English language is that it's full of quirks and pronunciations that just don't make any sense to the foreign learner. Why is "gn" pronounced with only the "n" sound? Why is the "G" silent? I don't know. I'm not an expert in English linguistics. I just learned that "gnat" is pronounced "nat" and that the "g" is silent. If you want to find out more, go do a Google search. All I want to point out here is that this is a wonderful example of being creative with English words. Since "gn" is pronounced as "n", then let's add a "g" in front of "ninja" to create a new title for this expert at swatting gnats. Hence "Gnat Gninja"!

Yes, English is strange and full of exceptions to the rule. But, we can still have fun with English words. Keep on working on getting to know the English language better. You could well be the next creative writer on the internet!

Happy learning!

Fun Language Tools

Can a duck's feathers get wet?

"Water off a duck's back" - English idiom.

ចាក់ទឹកលើក្បាល់ទារ - Khmer language idiom meaning "to pour water on a duck's head"

Both idioms describe the same action - water rolling off a duck, and the duck stays dry.  It is impossible to get a duck's feathers wet. However, the meaning behind each idiom could not be more different.

English version example:  "When someone saying something negative about me, it's like water off a duck's back."  What I mean is that whatever was said has no effect on me at all.  Like the duck's feathers that stay dry despite water all around it, the negative words roll off me as though they were never said.

Khmer version example: "I keep telling my students to throw the litter in the bins, but it's like pouring water on a duck's head!"  What I mean here is that no matter how many times I can tell the students to throw litter in the bin, they ignore me completely and continue to throw litter on the ground.

The imagery is the same in both languages, English and Khmer.  But the meanings are so different.  The Khmer saying is used to describe students who simply cannot and will not learn a lesson.  The English saying refers only to negative talk towards a person.

Lesson for today: different languages often have similar sayings.  But check the meaning and usage of the sayings before you use them.  If not, you may find yourself in an embarrassing situation.  I'd rather be a student than a fool.

Have fun learning!

Fun Language Tools

Athletic shoes - many names, same thing

My Australian cousin and I were having a conversation about shoes worn when exercising. We had a good laugh because people from different countries call these shoes differently. I call them "running shoes". She called them "trainers" or "joggers". I did mention that I've heard the word "trainers" used to talk about sweat pants, or trousers worn during exercise.

Out of curiosity, I decided to do a Google search. Google defines "trainer" as "a person who trains people or animals" or "aircraft or simulator to train pilots". Hmmm. Most interesting. "Trainer" has nothing to do with shoes.

But, there popped up a site on Athletic Shoes. So here came a detailed explanation of all the different words used to describe shoes worn during exercise, in different parts of the world. Confusion? Indeed. A simple pair of shoes, yet so many different ways to call them. And we're all still speaking in English! No other foreign language is being used here. No wonder people say "a picture paints a thousand words".

Learning a foreign language can be tough. New sounds, new alphabet, new grammar, new ways of saying things. But, as I have discovered in this simple exercise, learning English is complicated enough. I should know. I used to teach English as a foreign language for some years. Confused students constantly asked about grammar rules which they had no clue how to use in forming sentences. Now, we English speakers confuse them even more with different words we use to describe the same thing - a pair of shoes.

What have we done? Nothing really. We're just speaking English the way we were taught. I prefer to look at it as having fun in communication. Let's endeavour to speak and write simply, so that everyone can understand us, no matter which country we come from or what level of English we speak. Our lives will be so much richer for that. Have fun learning different English around the world! Fun Language Tools

What does "ninja" mean anyway?

A few days ago, my Christian friend wrote on his Facebook status that he considered himself a "ninja". If you know anything about Christians, one of the commands our God tells us is "Do not murder" and to "love your neighbour as yourself". So, I commented that he could very well slay the devil, but not his fellow man. Unbeknownst to me, the word "ninja" has now evolved to mean "someone who is skilled in something". Since he attends meetings constantly, he perceives himself to be a "ninja" at meetings!

I was not amused. I live in Asia. A ninja is a Japanese assassin. We don't think of ninjas as nice people. Even anime portrays ninjas as ruthless assassins. Ninjas are ordinary people during the day, but turn into assassins at night. Dressed entirely in black with a black scarf tied over the nose and mouth, a ninja sneaks around in the dark to seek out his target. Armed with small lethal weapons, one throw of a spiked disc will kill a person on impact. In short, in Asia, ninja = murderer.

Sometimes we need to go back to the root of the word before using it in everyday communication. The root meaning of the word can change the listener's understanding of what you are trying to say. As in this case. My friend was making a casual statement that he just has too many meetings to attend that he should now be called a "ninja" in meetings. I, the recipient of the message, understood the message to be that he has now become an "assassin" of some sort. What a vast difference!

Well, we can't please everyone, but we can learn to use simple words in English, or whatever language we use daily, to communicate simple ideas. Less jargon, less confusion. Happy learning!

Round tables have meaning

I wrote last week about the use of "Heart" language to really reach the innermost being of a person.

The Singapore government has begun a series of conversations to engage the general public and find out what we value and want to see our country becoming in the future. More than just language, this article discovers that the shape of the table makes a difference too.

"Roundness has deep cultural meanings in Asian society. The respective Chinese characters symbolise "reunion" and "success" (in the sense of being "united", "rounded" and "complete") whose significance can be observed during cultural festivities such as the annual reunion dinners during Chinese New Year."

Besides the Chinese, the western world uses round tables to signify equality among those seated around the table. King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table is probably the most well-known round table in history. Today, we use "round-table discussions" to brainstorm for important ideas and strategies. In such discussions, there is a facilitator, not a leader, who guides the discussion and keeps it within the boundaries of the topic. But everyone is an equal. Everyone's contributions are equally important.

Perhaps this is why the "kopitiam" conversations are lively. Everyone is an equal when sitting at a round table. They are speaking in their "heart" language, so they feel free to express themselves, speaking about the issues closest to their heart. Language and culture are inextricably linked. We speak English laced with cultural nuances and sometimes baggage that a foreigner will never understand. Can we remove that part of us? Probably never. But that makes our lives all the more enriched and our world all the more beautiful because of the variety and complexity of who we are.

So, don't shy away from learning another language and culture. Embrace it fully and have fun in the process!

Want to touch someone's heart? Here's how ...

The Singapore government has started a conversation with the general public to find out what issues concern us, what we values we hold important, and what we envision Singapore to be in the future. Since Singapore is made up of many cultures and ethnic groups, every Member of Parliament is involved. Why? Don't Singaporeans all speak English? Yes and No.

Yes - the majority of us have gone to school, and can function well in the English language.

No - there are still an older generation alive who prefer to use the language of their home and growing up years to express themselves.

Hence this article - so well written, I must say.

We express ourselves best using our "heart" language. What is "heart" language? It's the language we first heard the moment we were born, spoken from our mother's and father's mouth. We grew up hearing it, and eventually using it to communicate with our family and relatives. In school, and later at work and the outside world, we use English, or whatever language is required of us. At home, we speak the "heart" language.

As the writer of the article found out, the old folks were open and expressive in the conversation, because they were using Hokkien, their "heart" language. Many of them can speak Mandarin fluently. But to talk about issues close to the heart, we do it best in our "heart" language.

We can all speak English and communicate well in it. But to touch the heart of a man or woman, find out what his/her "heart" language is. You will bring smiles to his/her face and unlock the secrets of his/her heart.

Learn a language, touch a heart.

Happy learning!

Typos make for a fuller meaning

"We have a dog named Buddy, a Staffordshire bull terrier.  We found it almost five years ago.  It was just a puppy, around three months old, and was wondering the streets in the freezing winter." - Trent Whiddon, cast member of Burn The Floor.

I read this interview in the newspaper this morning and had a laugh.  Definitely the interviewer made a typo mistake.  The word should be "wandering" instead of "wondering".  Unforgivable for a seasoned journalist?  Maybe.  But how many readers actually noticed, I wonder (no pun intended).

Yet, the use of the word "wonder" instead of "wander" was actually quite accurate in meaning, and fit into the sentence very well.  If the dog could find his way home, it wouldn't be in "wonder" at all.  Perhaps the dog hadn't been to that part of the neighbourhood and was fascinated by what it was seeing.  At the same time, it was definitely "wandering" since it was lost.

Either way, the journalist made good sense despite having hit the wrong key when typing the article.  Brilliant, if you ask me.  

It takes years of practice to master any language, English or any other language.  But, sometimes, a new learner of the language can say something so quaint that expressed the thought so well that a native speaker would be hard-pressed to think of a grammatically correct alternative.  Each one of us adds colour to the English language by bringing in words from our own native languages and culture.  The world is a much more beautiful and interesting place because of that.

I interact almost daily with people from many different countries and cultures.  Each one has a varying mastery of the English language.  As difficult as it is sometimes to understand what my friends are trying to say, I appreciate the way each one makes such an effort to express himself in English.  It's definitely not perfect, but I wouldn't trade the colourful interaction for anything in the world.  My life is richer because of all the human interaction.

So, daily as I wander through this labyrinth called the worldwide web, I stand in wonder at the multi-faceted nature of all that is expressed, both good and bad.  I take in whatever I can.  My life is full and enriched because of that.

Have fun learning a language!

Fun Language Tools

Do you have foresight?

As a university student in the late 1970s, Mr Bo Xilai had foresight to learn English. The article here said, "He tried to read 8 pages of English each day from library books, (Ms Li Danyu, his first wife) said. He told her: "Eventually, China will open to the world, so we have to learn." I was amazed at this statement. Today, we know that China is not just open to the world, it is going out to the world and conquering it economically. Everywhere we go, we find Chinese people from Mainland China, and more so, goods "Made in China" in the smallest town. Who would have foreseen this in the 1970s? Mr Bo did. He learned English on his own, reading the few books that he could borrow from the library. When the time came, he moved up the government ladder to become an important official. He was ready for the world. Now what about you and me? Do we have foresight to learn a new language? We live in open countries. But where is the world focusing on today? Are we prepared should we have to move to that country in the name of employment or even a holiday? Learning is lifelong. We'll never regret the decision to learn another language. It's not just for personal enjoyment. Let's look further ahead. Our world is so global. I want to communicate with as many people around the world as I can - in their language, so that I can touch the heart of the people and see their faces light up in smiles! Happy learning! It's worth every effort you put in.

Small victory of the day!

Quote of the day: "Small victory of the day: I ordered my food in Italian! While in line at Italy for the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, I realized the cashier spoke Italian (duh, it's Disney), so I looked at the menu again and hurriedly tried to figure out what to say. I'm sure it wasn't perfect, but the cashier's face lit up and he only spoke back to me in Italian! It was a lot of fun! A big thanks to my awesome Italian teacher and classmates! :)" (Rick Chin, Florida, USA)

I saw this post this morning in Facebook. I had no idea my friend Rick was taking Italian lessons. I am so happy for him!  He's found out how much he's actually learning form the class, just by having a "live" conversation with an Italian stranger in Florida, besides having fun in the process.

You may start a language class just for something to do other than watching TV.  How much you learn really depends on how passionate you are about the language, even if you know absolutely nothing.  Passion becomes the drive to keep you going.

As your mind begins to process in the new language, then the fun begins.  I can now have a conversation!  I can get around!  People actually understand me!  Yay!  Even the simple task of reading a menu becomes a highlight of your day because you now know what kind of food there is, instead of relying on pictures.

Have fun learning languages.  Make new friends.  Open up a new world.  Enrich your life!

Learn Italian!

A Singaporean responds

Sometime ago, I wrote about Indian expatriates in Singapore needing time to adapt to life here (It takes time to adapt).

This morning, a Singaporean Indian responded to the remarks by the Indian Foreign Minister.  He said that foreigners of any nationality (not just Indians) integrate very well when they take part in community and neighbourhood activities.  What was more important was that Singaporeans took steps to welcome these new immigrants to the neighbourhood and community.

It takes two to clap, or so they say.  Isn't it true?  As a newly arrived immigrant to a foreign land, I can do my level best to reach out to my local neighbours by trying to be friendly and getting to know them.  But if my neighbours choose to be xenophobic and avoid me, what can I do?  I can keep trying, and hopefully, sooner than later, the ice will be broken and we become friends for life.  But I can't predict that outcome, much as I would like.

My friend Liz Stuart in her guest post on my blog said that you have to reach out.  Don't expect others to make the first move (You have to reach out).  Liz was blessed to have local Singaporeans welcome her and her family with wide open arms.  She literally threw herself fully into local life and is having a wonderful time in Singapore.  Bear in mind, Liz has only been here for less than a year.  Success story!  Both sides responded with great enthusiasm.

It does take time to adapt.  But whether we're the newly arrived foreigner, or the local resident, let's reach out and welcome each other with open arms into our homes and our lives.  We will be so much richer for the experience.

Happy reaching out!
Fun Language Tools

Such big words - I don't understand

In response to the article on the Good English campaign, this letter was published today.  The writer defends the use of "grandiloquence", saying that big and flowery words can communicate just as well as good simple English.

My take?  Yes and No.

Yes - because big, flowery words in any language, English included, convey the poetic beauty of the language.  Many of us enjoy reading good literary works, just because of the style and the message the writing conveys.  Reading it out aloud is like singing a beautiful song.  The melody of the words is music to our ears.

No - not everyone is educated well.  The average man on the street may have read literature in school and learned the few pieces of work well enough to pass an exam, but certainly not appreciate the style.  He may even find the writing too difficult for him to understand because of the many difficult words used.  To this man, this writing has not communicated anything because he does not understand anything.

Communication is successful only if the listener understands what the speaker is trying to say - that includes sign language, gestures, facial expressions, and other such body language.  If my listener appreciates and understands big words, I will use them.  If my listener only understands simple English and sentence structures, then I will speak simply.  In short, how I communicate largely depends on the hearer.  I have to adapt to his comfort level, not mine.

Do I push myself to learn languages well? Certainly.  But I will choose the words and sentence structures according to the language ability of my listener.  That, to me, is good communication.

Happy communicating!

Fun Language Tools

Dr John Chew, the retiring Bishop of the Anglican church in Singapore, made this statement in a recent interview.  He turns 65 years old very soon.

I keep wondering if it is really all that possible.  He was brought up in a Chinese-speaking home.  He attended Chinese-speaking schools and university.  He learned English along the way.  He can speak, read and write in English fluently.  And yet, he says he is still uncomfortable with English.

I grew up in an English-speaking home, went to English schools all the way to university.  I studied Mandarin because I had no choice.  I took on Japanese in university to fulfill my language requirement for graduation.  I actually went all the way to graduate level.  But I never used it once I stepped out of the university, so I am embarrassed to say that I ever spoke Japanese!

The other languages I now speak, read and write (to some degree) were all learned voluntarily. I am more comfortable in some than others.  But, I can't say that I am uncomfortable all my life with a second language.  Mandarin has become almost 2nd nature to me, as with the other languages I speak.  I no longer have to translate from English in my head before I speak out the sentence.  I sometimes do think in the foreign language.

To me, how comfortable one will be in a language all depends on the person himself.  Do you choose to function in it wholly?  Or do you choose to still cling to a "comfort" language of your childhood?  Indonesian foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong are sometimes more comfortable conversing with each other in Cantonese, rather than in Indonesian!  My Indonesian visitor friend was quite upset at that.  I think she felt left out of the conversation, more than anything else.

Keep on using the new language you are learning.  Don't give up.  You may feel overwhelmed at first, but soon you'll be swimming along and enjoying yourself.

Enjoy your learning process!

Fun Language Tools

This driver is courting death

I was walking by a hotel on my way to a meeting.  I spotted this fancy car parked outside the front entrance.  Nice car!  Then, I stopped to look carefully at the license plate.  You can take a closer look below:

Huh??? "MATI"??? I couldn't believe my eyes!  Then it dawned on me.  It's "MAT1", not "MATI".

For the uninformed, "mati" in the Malay or Indonesian language means "dead" or "death".  Why in the world would anyone choose a license plate for a fast car that pronounces "death" on the driver (and probably the passenger too!)?

The owner of this car probably thought he'd gotten a really cool license plate.  Well, unknown to him, he might not live long to enjoy driving the car!

I said before in "SAKitToMe" that we really need to be careful in choosing a name.  The car owner might have gotten away with this plate name in the US, but certainly not here in Singapore, where practically every local knows the meaning of "mati", whether they speak Malay or Indonesian or not at all.

My suggestion to us all: go learn at least the basics of a language.  You will learn so much, and certainly avoid grave mistakes (no pun intended!) such as this one.

Have fun learning a new language!

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