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Thursday, February 24, 2005

lost in translation

owned by the paper issue

i'm on the verge of getting sick with people asking me why i can't learn to speak cantonese. i've been in hong kong for more than thirteen damn years and the answer frankly is, 'because i'm not chinese'. but they respond to me aloud like, 'you must learn the language as it would be very easy for you to work with people around'. i was sort of frustrated as to why i'm being ethically challenged of the fact that my english is far better than my cantonese, or possibly because the person infact is being within the limited sense in english. if i use my correct grammar like, "how have you been today, or how's everything with you today"? it is commonly translate into the cantonese-english way, then becomes a "moman-tai lah, me okay-lah. you lah" how can that be?

from my tiniest knowledge of its use, i contend to put myself in a place that language is the only thing they care about. what about the sign language? what about smiling? feelings? i mean, it doesn't matter anymore how we translate words but somehow i find it so absurd when you try to speak as little as you can remember, in a manner in which they give an answer in english rather than helping you out correctly. i don't completely geddit.

here's why: i took a cab this morning and as soon as i've gotten inside, i articulately told the driver the place i'm heading to, in chinese. i used and sounded exactly the right tone and words in it, but to my astonishment, the man replied to me by speaking himself in english. i was like, what's with that? but of course he can tell that i am not a chinese. but in some significant events, whenever i buy cigs at the 7-11 store using my english, they would reply speaking to me in chinese with the 'face'.

if you speak in chinese, they respond in english, and if you speak in english, they respond in chinese. i beg your pah'don, but i don't understand why they do that?

i'm not being prejudice against anything or anyone here but it just made me upset. i understand that there are certain cantonese words that has different meaning in it, granting that the words are pronounced accurately. nothing i can do now, but somehow i will live from the fact that i'm not good at it. i know a nothing is a dreadful thing to hold onto, but i gave up.

here's a little test: follow the instructions carefully.

click here
in the box translate text, write: "my mom is nice and cool"
choose "english to spanish" and press translate.
copy the answer (the translated text) again to the box translate text.
choose "spanish to english" and press translate.
then laugh at the results.

and that's what i did. and you're right pep, i need a fukitol tabs for headache.

what my iPod is playing: true by ryan cabrera

KnOizKi ®

KnOizKi
February 25, 2005 08:21 PM PST

i learnt it from school but couldn't remember most of it. since philippines was invaded by spaniards, few "nouns" are still being used until today. pero no soy bueno en él más.
Pep
February 25, 2005 05:56 PM PST

I started in October last year, so that makes 4 months now. I've got rubbish PC software ans the very excellent Micel Thomas 8-CD course (that's been a lifesaver!).
What about your good self, you really learning Spanish?

:)
KnOizKi
February 25, 2005 05:17 AM PST

how long have you been learning spanish pep?
Pep
February 25, 2005 03:57 AM PST

Very well, done that man!
Esto es bueno, amigo! Podemos aprender junto!

:D
KnOizKi
February 25, 2005 02:09 AM PST

hi avid reader. thanks for visiting.
avid reader
February 24, 2005 03:02 PM PST

That was funny.
KnOizKi
February 24, 2005 12:52 PM PST

¡estoy aprendiendo la lengua española también, en apenas un tecleo! ¿cómo es eso, pep?

**
i'm learning the spanish language too,in just one click! how's that, pep?
Pep
February 24, 2005 06:47 AM PST

And thank you for the linkypoo!

:)
Pep
February 24, 2005 06:46 AM PST

HAHAHA! I liked that, that was damned funny.
See, herein lies the danger of bad translations.
It's bad to be not understood, it's worse to be misunderstood!

Thanks for making my dull day funny again!

:)
>> >>


	Pep February 25, 2005 05:56 PM PST I started in October last year, so that makes 4 months now. I've got rubbish PC software ans the very excellent Micel Thomas 8-CD course (that's been a lifesaver!). What about your good self, you really learning Spanish? :)


	KnOizKi February 25, 2005 05:17 AM PST how long have you been learning spanish pep?


	Pep February 25, 2005 03:57 AM PST Very well, done that man! Esto es bueno, amigo! Podemos aprender junto! :D


	KnOizKi February 25, 2005 02:09 AM PST hi avid reader. thanks for visiting.


	KnOizKi February 24, 2005 12:52 PM PST ¡estoy aprendiendo la lengua española también, en apenas un tecleo! ¿cómo es eso, pep? ** i'm learning the spanish language too,in just one click! how's that, pep?


	Pep February 24, 2005 06:47 AM PST And thank you for the linkypoo! :)


	Pep February 24, 2005 06:46 AM PST HAHAHA! I liked that, that was damned funny. See, herein lies the danger of bad translations. It's bad to be not understood, it's worse to be misunderstood! Thanks for making my dull day funny again! :)

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