Many of us have definitely been asked at least a dozen times the types of languages we speak, and we seldom realize that we speak more languages than we think are capable of... Here's where Manglish comes in.
The true Malaysian English, at its best where lots of cynicism and 'rojak' English are evident. If you speak Manglish, you will know that it is NOT English. It is way more complicated than that.
As proof, Manglish and Singlish has more words than English. A classic example like:
Ah Beng, Ah Huay, Ah Lian, Ah Kow, Ah Gua, Ah Mm, Ah Pek, Alamak, Ali Baba, Ang Moh, Apu Neh Neh, Boh Liao, Chee Bye, Chikopeh, Chin Chai lah, Dulan, Gostan, Jia Lat, Kan Ni Na Bu, Kaopeh Kaobu, Ki Siao, Kanasai, Kiasu, Kiam Pah, Kuku, Lam Par, Lim Peh, Mai Siao Lah, Mangali, Orh Pee Sai, Pang Sai, Pariah, Qia Zha Bo, Suaku, Terbalek, Your Head La and the list goes one and one…
Well this is dedicated to non-Malaysians and non-Singaporeans... In case you don’t understand what a Manglish speaker is trying to get through, here's what we mean;
What we say: Why are you so boring? Why you so boring?
What we mean: Why are you so bored?
What we say: I am interesting. I got interest lah.
What we mean: I am interested.
What we say: I will send you to the airport.
What we mean: I will take you to the airport.
What we say: Follow me! (And walks to his own car)
What we mean: Follow me in your own car.
What we say: I follow your car.
What we mean: I will follow (go with) you in your car.
What we say: You are so sensitive.
What we mean: You take offense too easily.
What we say: You so thick skin one.
What we mean: You are so insensitive.
What we say: You so glamour tonight.
What we mean: You are so glamorous tonight.
What we say: Just now.
What we mean: Awhile ago
What we say: This is my rubber.
What we mean: This is my eraser.
What we say: I am very black.
What we mean: I have a dark skin tone.
What we say: This business can run. This business can do.
What we mean: This business is viable.
What we say: Cannot talk anymore-lah!
What we mean: Cannot bargain anymore (lah).
What we say: Let's meet at the 'longe'.
What we mean: Let's meet at the lounge (not launch).
What we say: The lolly cannot run.
What we mean: The lorry/truck has broken down.
What we say: My tyres no flower.
What we mean: My tyres are bald.
What we say: Please 'go-stun' your car.
What we mean: Please reverse your car.
What we say: My house got many lizards.
What we mean: My house has many ghekkos.
What we say: Why you so like that?
What we mean: Why do you behave so unpredictably?
What we say: Q: Whose one is this?
What we mean: A: My one.
What we say: Q: Whose is this?
What we mean: A: Mine.
What we say: My job is to run outstation.
What we mean: My job requires me to go out of town.
Wow, my manglish is si beh powderful after all...
