Lost in Translation

Some time back when I was still residing in Malaysia, something struck me - If I am supposed to be Hokkien by name, but diluted with a Hakka upbringing, why do I speak in Cantonese most of the time?

Coming to London, this distinction has caused a further form of headache especially in the research on segmentation. Looking at the Joshua project list (www.joshuaproject.net) the Malaysian Chinese populations seems to be split in the following:

Hokkien 1,848,211

Hakka 1,679,027

Cantonese 1,355,541

Teochew 974,573

Mandarin 958,467

Hainanese 380,781

Min Bei 373,337

Foochow 249,413

I'm not sure how accurate these figures are, but then again, they seem to reflect the balance of spread between the different types of Chinese in Malaysia. Yet, the thing that bothers me most is that if the Hokkien and Hakka almost dominate half of that total amount, how come we rarely see movies in Hakka or Hokkien?

From a young age, the media seems to be dominated by the Mandarin and Cantonese dialects - making me speak Cantonese to both my Hakka and my Hokkien relatives. Why is this so? Well, my love for TVB series from Hong Kong can partially explain my bias. It’s been an acquired taste developed since I was young.

I can imagine a further dilution of the languages on future generations, just look at the local British Born Chinese, born and bred in the UK - most of them only know Cantonese and English (although I must admit there is a push towards Mandarin due to the rise in China as an economic powerhouse). But is it for good or bad? At least I can say that I do have my own ‘identity’ and that I am able to adapt to situational changes.

This reminds me, I must make an effort to learn some of those delicious Hakka dishes my maternal grandmother used to cook ever so often... mmm.

Before it all gets lost in time.

Lesson 16: Bubub's Concept on Cars

"... Brooom Brooom Broooooom... Psst!"


"Ehm, why the Psst behind the Brooom Bubub?"

"Turbo-mah"

Sleepy...

It has been a while since I felt this way. Maybe life is too monotonous over here in blighty. Because of this, the smallest of events seem to jolt me into a bolt of blue.

Also with my first actual examinations in 8 years looming over my head, the bright sunshine of summer is giving me headaches. Probably it’s also due to the lack of sleep.

Warm afternoon sun makes me feel sleepy and a million and one scenario seem to be running around in my head on the possibilities of problems that may happen this Thursday. Is there anything else that I have not done? Has any minor details slipped my mind? Have I read enough to answer my test paper tonight? Do I need to get some rest first before attempting the paper?

"It’s no problem of mine but it’s a problem I find"

Hopefully June will have a better summer install for me. I wonder if Berlin is waiting for me yet.

My first time.

I was watching this British movie about things people do before they turn 30.

Reminds me of my clique over in Ipoh. Oh and the uncle and aunties in KL too.

This month was the first time I was affected by a strike directly with my work. And it was the first time I voted.

Funny how things are, I'm not allowed to select the government that rules the country my future generations will grow up in. But after almost two years in London I have instant access to vote for my mayor and the London Assembly. They still took my vote in even though I registered with less than a month left before election day.

It got me thinking. Where will I be in 5 years?

What do you think?

Has the buzz of the internet died? Has the use of mobile phones passed its commercial use?

Last night I was sitting at home playing with my phone and then I realised something. There are probably 5 numbers that I actually call from my phone book from time to time in the week. Other than that, its all just memories of another life, of another time. It got me thinking - Is it the same with the rest of my friends? Has technology taken its toll?

Last time, we used to be so excited receiving and writing emails, even short ones. But how many emails do we get daily? I know I get a lot from work - but from your friends? I guess snail mail had its advantages. It was not so quick, so efficient. Until the novelty of hearing from your friend wore off. Now, we enjoy our times meeting up probably once a year. We have several cliques of people - i.e. the UK clan, the Singapore Gang, The KL Lords and the Ipoh Boyz. The rest are scattered all around where ever their profession is required.

Of course we all meet and make new friends, but our bond is still there. Its kind of like the elections. Pre election, all the hype builds our mind for that one finale - that one date where all is settled. Then what?

Most of the people were very vocal and patriotic and nationalistic. But where are they now? The answer my friend - living their lives as usual. Let the politicians do the fighting from here on. That's their job. So, similarly the initial fads of Friendster, Multiply, Facebook, etc was so successful as it brought a new scope to keeping in touch. But do people REALLY want to keep in touch? Obviously they do, but not in a persistant manner. More of keeping updated through a more passive way, by reading blogs - knowing what is happening in the minds of their dear friends. Or reading the lastest comments or wall posts to know who they have been hanging out with.

Or has everyone grown old and tired of it all? Leave it to the young ones - its their niche anyway.