yeah....Things will only get better

well... not too sure why did i choose this topic for this posting. Was thinking of the many wonders the various different languages can create and the problems you may face. Pling mentioned that she did consider becoming a translater or interpreter before. For me, I have always been fascinated by how culture can actually determine the way words are spoken, and how phrases may mean one thing in this culture but another in some others.

A typical Chinese greeting would be to ask if one has taken his dinner/meal. Perfectly alright in Asian context I suppose. However some Westerners may view it as scornful as if the one greeting you is doubtful that you can afford your next meal or not.

If one actually replies that he has not had his dinner, the one asking is somehow obliged to treat that person to dinner. This is something not very known to Westerners. I remember Prof Rickard-Liow saying this is class. Haha.. interesting.

But seriously, the way in which a language is spoken defintely brings a certain sense of familiarity, sense of nostalgia to many. Yeah.. the accent. In a recent survey, Singaporeans actually find that Singlish is the best reflection of Singaporean culture, much to the disdain of the Government I guess who have been trying so hard to promote good english.

I remember being on transist in Dubai Airport some years back. There's this chap working for the Bruneian airlines stationed there. He tried to strike up a conversation with me, perhaps sensing my anxiety in a foreign land. Just to side track a bit, yeah... they have burly looking uniformed officers guarding the airport. The manner in way they communicate with one another is very aggressive. ( Culture thingy??)

Right back to the Bruneian guy. He tried to communicate with me in Singlish. Apparently he once served in the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and had received his commission in Singapore, hence having some knowledge of Singlish. Some lahs and lehs.... haha. that defintely made me more at ease.

Alright, let's change the location again.

Back in Singapore.

Try speaking in dialects to stall vendors, you'll receive better treatment I guess, especially the less common ones. I tried ordering food in Cantonese upon sensing the captain is from Hong Kong. Well, to put it simply, I never had such wonderful service from that restaurant before. It was similar in an eatery Katong and Pling can attest to that. So I guess this is the magic of dialects?

Now....perhaps it's time that the government do away with the speak Mandarin Campaigns??

Speak more dialects?? haha... well... talkingcock.com has a wondeful site...