Light a Torch

Have a good look at the following article:

In fact this problem with the use of torchlight was addressed in my If post. I suppose another way of explaining the difference between torch and torchlight is by comparing them to moon and moonbeam. Torch and moon are tangible but torchlight and moonbeam are not.

The problem could also have arisen because Americans refer to torch as flashlight. Go figure.

Peace at Last

Wonder if he's at peace or not?

Recently Periwinkles recounted to me this funny encounter with her close friend. As she was leaving her house, her friend bade her good night. But what surprised her was that she ended it with ‘May you rest in peace‘. She was momentarily stunned but not offended. She knew that her friend was still grappling with some of the common phrases in the English language.

I then realised that what she faced wasn’t that unique after all. I’ve heard of people wishing that they keep on touching rather than keep in touch. There was also this instance when someone said he was thinking of putting up with someone rather than putting up at his place. Yet despite the wrong usage, we somehow know the intent of the speaker.

Is there a point in having to learn the right thing? I personally feel we should. If we want to keep misunderstanding at bay, our message must be clear. Then hopefully, we’ll be understood and perhaps we might have peace.

The Elusive Air

My brother shared with me yesterday how different cultures perceive the effect of air on crispy biscuits. For the Malays, biscuits lose their crispness because of masuk angin (air has entered). The Hokkiens look at it differently for they say it is due to lau hong (releasing of air).

When air is released from one’s body, it can be released via the mouth or the alimentary canal. The air that is released from the mouth is pretty much affected by the onomatopoeic influence. Malays call it sendawa. Hokkiens call it pak ok. And the English burp or belch.

However it’s a different matter when it’s released via the other end. The Malays prefer the onomatopoeia kentut. Respectable English speakers refer to the act as breaking wind (because of the explosive sound). Hokkiens are more euphemistic for they call it pang pui (releasing of air) with no allusion to whatever sound.

I think I’d better stop now lest I be called a windbag.

How many in a couple?

When I was in my primary and secondary years, I had the impression that a couple was synonymous with a few. Later I came to realise from my discussion with native speakers of English that it can also mean two. This can prove problematic in certain cases.

I remember watching a talk show where the host introduced a couple of books written by his guest. Most Malaysians would assume that it meant a few but as the interview unfolded, it was clear that only 2 books were discussed.

My stand is that if it is more than two, it’s better to say a few. This is because when couple was first coined, it meant two. Therefore, when we refer to a man and a woman who are meant for each other, they are a couple. However that becomes a bit difficult to define if the man is polygamous. What would you call a man with three wives? A couple? A few?

A working Sponge

Students are like selective sponges. What you want them to remember, they conveniently forget. What you want them to disregard, they remember for life.

During my teaching practice, I had this student who would make it a habit of talking to the person behind her even when I was talking. No amount of dissuasion could stop that behaviour of hers.

And so one day, I accidentally spilled out, “We are a progressive lot. And it’s a pity that one of you is still backward-looking.” That did the trick. She never once looked back after that.

I didn’t expect much from her on my last day in that school. Farewell cards were given to me plus a short speech by the monitor. But the best gift was what this backward-looking girl told me. I can’t remember her exact words but it was the fact that she couldn’t stand the thought of being branded a person who’s not progressive. The fact that it was uttered without malice, I feel, also had a small part to play.