Manglish... yes Mangled English
Well well... Hmm... I've known friends of Malaysian descent since primary school... while the children at that age speak proper english.. in recent years there has been an increase in my friend circle of Malaysian Origin that speak and write in a somewhat unique brand of english.
For the purposes of this piece of artistic literature, I shall call that brand of informal English - Manglish - Malaysian English, Mangled English.. which ever you like.
Manglish I believe shares alot of similaries with Singlish .. no.. not the english used in Songs... its Singapore English. Anyway, Bahasa Melayu, or affectionally called BM amongst Malaysian specimens, was adopted as M'sia's sole official language in 1968 (i think). Although British english is widely spoken, numerous Malay words, along with Chinese (hokkien, mandarin, cantonese) and Tamil words have been mixed into the vocabulary (as well as grammar) to create this rather distorted version of english.
For purposes of joining in friendly chat with our lovely fellow malaysian specimens, one would need to grasp some idea of the way to engage in conversation.
The following is a personal summary of Key points required, in order to construct your sentences orally as well as on paper.
Some interesting characteristics... (p.s. I've colour coded it. This is definition, this is example)
-lah
Used to affirm a statement (similar to "of course"). Frequently used at the end of sentences and usually ends with an exclamation mark (!).
Don't be an idiot lah!
-mah
Used to affirm a sentence but not as strongly as "lah"... Used at the end of sentences.
She's like that mah..
-nah
Derived from the Malay expression of "Nah!". similar to "here".... Used when giving something to another person.
Nah, take this!
-meh
Used when asking questions, especially when a persion is skeptical of something.
Really meh?
-liao
Means "already"... comes from the chinese word "le" which means finished or completed.
No more stock liao.
-ah
Derived from the Chinese expression "a". Used at the end of sentences, unlike meh the question is rhetorical. Also used when asking a genuine question. Besides that, some people use it when referring to a subject before making a (usually negative) comment.
Why is he like that want (pronounced wang) ah?
Is that true ah?
My brother ah, always disturb me leh! Siao siao (crazy) de him ah!
-lor/loh
Used when explaining something... also to affirm a statement as obvious..
Like that lor!
1+1=2 loh!
ya loh! He so suku de loh!
-leh
Used to soften an order, thus making it less harsh, also used to emphasize something
Give me that leh.
He very fat de one leh.
Where got leh?
-one
Used as an emphasis at the end of a sentence.
Why is he so naughty one (ah)?
Why (pronoused Huai) you so like that one!!
-what
Unlike British/American English, the word 'what' is often used as an exclamation mark, not just to ask a question.
What! How could you do that?
I didn't take it, what.
-got
Used as a literal translation from the Malay word 'ada' or 'have' or the chinese "you", also means have. The arrangement of words is often also literally translated. This particular particle is widely abused in Manglish, mainly because of the difficulty for the Manglish speaker of comprehending the various correct uses of the English verb 'to have'. Therefore, 'got' is substituted for every tense of the verb.
You got anything to do? (Kamu ada apa-apa untuk buat?)
I got already/got/will got my car from the garage.
-Cheh
Used most by females of Chinese descent. This word is most potent/strong when used with an eye signal looking sideways and closing of the eye lids rapidly, with slight turning of the head sideways in synchrony. usually has a dismissive meaning and may sometimes mean their desire to ignore the person or the topic of discussion the word is directed at.
Cheh! Ignore you liao
Cheh.. whatever lah!
Walao, cheh, how can like that one!
-Boh/wo
Used at the end of a sentence usually with an innocent expression. Derived from Chinese “wo”, could mean surprise or shock
I didn't go boh.
I don't know wo.
What lah, not me boh!
-Siao
This term derives from BM (DD made a mistake here... it's actually Hokkien) meaning Crazy, or out of your mind. And no, it is not a compliment.
You so siao!
Haha.. Siao..
-De
This is derived from the Chinese word “de” which means “something’s” or is… Malaysian specimens of Chinese descent usually incorporate this word into their sentence, which may sound weird at first, but .. yeah.. you’ll get used to it. It also can be used as a “one” replacement..
Cannot like that de lah.
Why (huai) you so suku de!!
-Kua/Gua
Used when the speaker is uncertain about something. Usually placed at the end of a sentence. Can be used as a "ba" replacement in Chinese, also affirming uncertainty.
Who will be the next US president? Not him Kua/Gua.
-Nia
This term is not derived from the Chinese "ni a" meaning "you ah"… It has similar meaning to the Chinese term "er yi" meaning only, only this much. Used by specimens when they feel like being humble.
How much you get in the test? 100 nia la...
Nouns
"barsket" - derived from 'bastard', general derogatory term. May also be derived from 'basket case'.
"bladibarsket" - derived from 'bloody bastard', profane derogatory term.
"kapster" - a nosy or talkative person; can be also used as an adjective, e.g., "I hate them because they are so kapster." Contraction of the Malay verb "cakap", to speak, plus -ster (probably from analogy with English words such as "trickster").
"maluation" - embarrassment, from BM "malu" + English "-ation".
"outstation" - out of town (e.g., going outstation).
"terrer" - (pronounced as the English "terror") Refers to someone or something being awesomely amazing or good (e.g., "Bloody hell, that guy is terrer!").
Adjectives
"aiksy/lan si" - arrogant, overconfident. 'Aiksy' possibly derived from 'acting up'; 'lan si' is of Cantonese origin.
"blur" - confused, out-of-it. Roughly equivalent to "spacey" in US slang. can also be used in rapid succession to emphasise the extent of confusion. e.g. Me so Blur blur...
"slumber" - relaxed, laid-back; possibly a conflation of the Malay "selamba", meaning nonchalant, and the English "slumber".
Verbs
"business" - a euphemism for bodily functions conducted in the toilet. One can do big business or small business.
"jadi" - happened, succeeded (derived from the Malay word 'jadi', and may sometimes mean 'so' as in, "Jadi?" = "So what?")
"jalan" - to walk (Malay)
"kantoi" - to get caught ("I kena kantoi..." means, "I got shafted/reprimanded/caught")
"kena" - to get caught/punished; often used like a noun ("I sure kena if I cheat"). From the Malay passive verb "kena".
"kill" - to punish/scold/cause trouble to someone ("If you're not careful ah, this guy will kill you")
"makan" - to eat (Malay)
"minum" - to drink (Malay)
"on/off" - to turn something on or off, respectively (e.g. "Don't forget to off the fan.")
"pengsan" - to faint (Malay)
"pon" - to skip school/play truant (from Malay "ponteng", meaning the same)
"saman" - to issue a traffic ticket, from "summons"
"sit" - since this is the word used for riding in a vehicle in Malay and in Chinese dialects, it is used in the same way in English, e.g. "sit bus"
"tahan" - to stand, to bear ("Cannot tahan her perfume! So strong!"). From Malay "tahan", to endure, to withstand.
"tumpang-ing" - riding in someone else's vehicle or lodging at someone else's house, from the BM verb "tumpang" + "-ing"
(any Malay word) + "ing" - doing a certain action ("Tengah makan" or "I'm eating right now" is shortened to "Makan-ing")
catch snake - being lazy at one's job. (Derived from Hokkien liak chua which is actually not doing the work they are supposed to do)
Some Equivalents .. Manglish and British/American English
Handphone (often abbreviated to HP) = Mobile phone or Cell phone
MC (medical certificate). Often used in this context, e.g. 'He is on MC today'=Sick note
Love Letter. To receive a 'Love Letter' could mean to receive a letter of reprimand or some official notifications (usually negative). E.g. I received a 'Love Letter' from the bank about my account. = No equivalent.
Can = Yes/Alright
Photostat = Photocopy, Xerox
Cannot =No
One hundred over, one thousand over etc. = Over one hundred, over one thousand etc.
Well thats all for now guys and girls. Hopefully this has been a both informative and entertaining introduction to Mangled English... Manglish.
To learn more, simply talk to a recent Malaysian arrival (specimens of less than 8 years in New Zealand usually should retain some traces of this facinating brand of english... that is unless they've been purposely educated in a english academy or chinese school such as SMK Kuchung High etc etc where proper english education/tuition is readily available to ones who can afford it.) and yeah.. i know i can write long complex compound sentences without commas for breathing.. I like it.. so =P ... live with it.
That was DD's post on manglish... Interesting how outsiders view us... Anyway... His post made me think of this long standing forward email of manglish...
British English VS Malaysian English
Who says our English is teruk. Just see below - Ours is simple,short,concise, straight-to-point, effective etc........
WHEN GIVING A CUSTOMER BAD NEWS
Britons: I'm sorry, Sir, but we don't seem to have the sweater you want in your size, but if you give me a moment, I can call the other outlets for you.
Malaysians: No Stock.
RETURNING A CALL
Britons: Hello, this is John Smith. Did anyone page for me a few moments ago?
Malaysians: Hello, who page?
ASKING SOMEONE TO MAKE WAY .
Britons: Excuse me, I'd like to get by. Would you please make way?
Malaysians: S-kew me
WHEN SOMEONE OFFERS TO PAY
Britons: Hey, put your wallet away, this drink is on me.
Malaysians:No-need, lah. (then proceed to try and be the first one to pay the person who comes to collect the money from you)
WHEN ASKING FOR PERMISSION
Britons: Excuse me, but do you think it would be possible for me to enter through this door?
Malaysians: (pointing the door) can ar?
WHEN ENTERTAINING
Britons: Please make yourself right at home.
Malaysians: Don't be shy lah!
WHEN DOUBTING SOMEONE
Britons: I don't recall you giving me the money.
Malaysians: Where got? / Got meh?)
WHEN DECLINING AN OFFER
Britons: I'd prefer not to do that, if you don't mind.
Malaysians: Don't want la...
IN DISAGREEING ON A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION
Britons: Err. Tom, I have to stop you there. I understand where you're coming from, but I really have to disagree with what you said about the issue.
Malaysians: You mad, ah?
WHEN ASKING SOMEONE TO LOWER THEIR VOICE
Britons: Excuse me, but could you please ! lower your voice, I'm trying to concentrate over here.
Malaysians: Shut up lah!
WHEN ASKING SOMEONE IF HE/SHE KNOWS YOU
Britons: Excuse me, but I noticed you staring at me for some time. Do I know you?
Malaysians: See what, see what?
WHEN ASSESSING A TIGHT SITUATION
Britons: We seem to be in a bit of a predicament at the moment.
Malaysians: Die-lah!!
WHEN TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED
Britons: Will someone tell me what has just happened?
Malaysians: Wat happen? Why like that....
WHEN SOME ONE DID SOMETHING WRONG
Britons: This isn't the way to do it here let me show you.
Malaysians: like that also don't know how to do!!!!
WHEN ONE IS ANGRY
Britons: Would you mind not disturbing me
Malaysians:Celaka u (this is my catch phrase...)
Short and precise. Straightforward til it's rude... That's manglish for you! I'm proud of it though.
PS THANKS CASPER!!! I TOTALLY FORGOT!... I thought there were something missing... Hahahha... I made you guys read black on black. *smacks forehead*
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