I can certainly remember a few!
I pulled into a Manual Cash Wash station. A$8 to A$10, ok lah. Cannot compare to Singapore's cheap labour S$3. In Singapore, we have the Banglas lined up systematically washing each car and here I had been waiting 10 minutes already ... still no one came. I then realized, Manual Car Wash means you wash the car YOURSELF! Alamak, still got to pay so much. I miss my maid!
The word "ta" is commonly used by Ozzie friends and the cash out chicks. I was wondering why they keep telling me "bye bye" even before I could finish what I want to do or say. Ooohh, ta means thank you!
I wasn't used to people calling me "Love" too but now I kind of like it! ;-)
I can't stand it at first when I have to say and listen to "How r'ya" so many times a day. Some do not seem so sincere anymore. They speak as though they have a barb wire clamped on each side of their jaw! More and more, I find myself using the OZ terminology occasionally mixed with some Singapore slang, which drives them just as crazy. "I need to do a U-e lah"; "Let me have my breakkie first, ok or not?"; "Alamak, I am becoming spoofier!"
Tell me a few funnies, ok?
We are a small social group of Singaporeans living in Australia and our network was started in response to the isolation of new Singaporean migrants and students, living in a new environment. The aim of the group is to provide and enhance community spirit among Singaporeans and their families by providing a platform for networking and socialising. We are based in Sydney with contacts in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Darwin and Perth.
haha.. as for me, I speak singlish and ang moh dun understand wat I am talking about!!
ReplyDeleteHi Jade,
ReplyDeleteHow long have you been here, mate? You are speaking like an Ozzie!Good onya!
Almost 6 years! I think I am chap pa lang ... rojak liao
ReplyDeleteHi Jade,
ReplyDeleteIt nice to read your post and hear your fair dinkum Ozzie and singlish. haha
Cheers,
Uncle Phil
I received an SMS this morning asking me why I sent out an email at 1.20 am. I checked and it was actually sent out by a friend in Singapore, copying everyone else in that email .. so I replied by SMS "Read sent from who lah".
ReplyDeleteREPLY - "What does "who lah" mean?" LOL
I have to teach this Ozzie friend some Singlish and he replied -
"ok, I'll keep practicing lah"
"This is easy lah"
They'll think I was born there lah"
Funny Ozzie!
This is dinky-di migrant story. My Japanese friend sent his car to an Ozzie mechanic for servicing and inspection for his pink slip. Since he has some problems with his clutch, he specifically pointed it out to the mechanic.
ReplyDelete"No worries, mate" answered the mechanic.
"I am having problem with the Ke-la-chi(clutch)" said my Japanese friend.
Again came the reply from the mechanic. "No worries" The puzzled and worried Japanese friend said
" You no worries but I have big big worries with the clutch!
singlish is more than putting a LAH behind. a full-on singlish i myself took pains to learn-- from moi brother, the y-z generation. We hv the oddest grammer around.
ReplyDelete"i is jin blur leh, peter say here have one, where got?"
"Got one la, u neber see propely la. u go find, i go see rook my things, faster hor later peeple mountian peeple sea, anything oso cannot see then u better dun kbkb"
i have a sinkie in my division, when i start on my singlish mode, his manager(from uk) will start to throw tennis ball at US. "English please"
Very chim ... I must read twice before I understand real Singlish - LOL!
Deleteang moh ask me what i speak at home and in Singapore, i say i speak singlish.. he blur.. what is that??
ReplyDeletechinglish he know.. haha not singlish.. :)
I speak Pigin English leh, anyone?
ReplyDeleteUnkle Phil Pigin english appa itu??
ReplyDeleteIt is the lingua franka of Papua New Guinea,I speak the language because i was there for 24 yrs.
ReplyDeletecan totally relate to being askd "How r u?" or "how's ur day?"
ReplyDeletewhen i first arrive, i wondered to myself-do u really want to know?
feels so weird...
i think, only singaporeans dun do 'how are u' in any form.
Deletemy dad generations does that, by saying " ho sey bo" "hoe bo" "zha ki jo ni"
When i was in other chinese countries or know ppl from there, they DO have the HABIT of saying "how are u" in their language before starting a convo or a question to ask or order food. ONLY SINKIES are that "RUDE"
I had lived with a taiwanese chic before, according to her, no matter how nice i am i am very abrupt. oh my o my, srsly i tried hard enuff, but for her i am "rude"
Yaloh, we originated from early coolie stock mah. So some of the Hokkein and Cantonese words we used are quite crude and rude. You will stop once you know what the Hongkie and Taiwanese think about it. Example: Mine chap seow = dont bother or care less.
DeleteDo you know what "seow" means in Hokkien?
and favourite Kay Poh Chee (KPC) = Busybody. I dont have to tell you what is "Chee" in Hokkien means.
I spent half a day on Monday telling them about what did I do on my weekends and half a day on Friday telling them what I am going to do on my weekend!
ReplyDeleteWhat a waste of productivity!
Aiyoh, that the reason why we are here in this lucky country mah and enjoy the laid back lifestyle and make those at home envious mah. hehe.
Deletethats their way of pulling strings and getting to know the ppl ard u. which we dun do in singapore as life is hectic. but i believe in HK, ppl do that abit as well.
Deletesometimes i am not sure if it is the education sytem tat enforce by MIW that causes the cold, selfish, aloaf attitude in us.
We came here 2 and a half years ago. My husband's colleague invited us for "tea". We thought "tea" meant sandwiches and nibbles and tea. Turns out that "tea" means DINNER. Good thing we checked and didn't turn up at their house at 3 or 4pm.
ReplyDelete"Push-bike" means a proper bicycle and not a little kid's toy/learner bike. When Aussies say something is "ordinary" they mean it's lousy or not good instead of average.
It's not just terminology. Even now, I have trouble understanding the Aussie accent because it sounds like water sloshing in a bucket. It's not so bad when speaking with them face to face because I can make out what they are saying by watching their lips. When speaking on the phone, I sometimes completely lak bo kiu.
ahaha... if you get invited to Singaporean place for lunch.. then be prepared to eat both Lunch and Dinner!!..
DeleteAgenda of typical lunch invitation @ Singaporean house
1. Arrive at the Singaporean's house
2. Talk cock
3. Eat Lunch
4. Talk Cock
5. Eat Dinner
6. More talk cock
7. Time to say bye bye.. already go out of the Singaporean's house liao
8. More talk cock...
9. Say bye bye and leave..hahaha
You forgotten your "ta pau of left over food" to bring home, leh
Deletesingaporeans have iron stomache.
Deletewe can hv dinner food for breaky without batting eye lid
....i pick up my listening in a very unorthdox way. i have the habit of listening to shows rather than watching with my eyes intent on the screen. Thats how i pick up listening easily as well.
ReplyDeletesometimes i will say, "can u articulate slower? I am having trouble understanding you, please bear with me." of course i will have some rude A$$ trying to shout words into my ears. Generally i dun have problems like most of the sinkies in the companies -- kanna complain by customers and kanna request to speak to a local. Dun worry, it is both ways. ^_^
British English vs. Singlish
ReplyDeleteRETURNING A CALL
Britons: Hello, this is John Smith. Did anyone call for me a few moments ago?
Singaporean: Hello, who call?
ASKING SOMEONE TO MAKE WAY
Britons: Excuse me, I would like to get by. Would you please make way?
Singaporean: S-kew me.
WHEN SOMEONE OFFERS TO PAY
Britons: Hey! Put your wallet away, this drink is on me.
Singaporean: No need lah.
WHEN ASKING FOR PERMISSION
Britons: Excuse me, but do you think it would be possible for me to enter through this door?
Singaporean: (pointing at the door) Can ah?
WHEN ENTERTAINING
Britons: Please make yourself right at home. Singaporean: No need shy shy one meh!
WHEN DOUBTING SOMEONE
Britons: I don't recall you giving me the money. Singaporean: Where got?
WHEN DECLINING AN OFFER
Britons: I would prefer not to do that, if you don't mind. Singaporean: Don't want lah.
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. Singaporean: 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. Singaporean: Shut up lah!
WHEN ASKING SOMEONE IF HE/SHE KNOWS YOU.
Britons: Excuse me, but I noticed you staring at me for sometime. Do I know you? Singaporean: See what, see what?
WHEN ASSESSING A TIGHT SITUATION.
Britons: We seem to be in a bit of a predicament at the moment.. Singaporean: Die meh!!
WHEN TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED
Britons: Will someone tell me what has just happened? Singaporean: Why like that one leh?
WHEN SOMEONE DID SOMETHING WRONG
Britons: This isn't the way to do it. Here, let me show you. Singaporean: Like that also don't know how to do!
WHEN ONE IS ANGRY
Britons: Would you mind not disturbing me?
Singaporean: **** you!
So which would you prefer? Send this to your Singaporean friends and let them have a laugh too. Good day! Singaporean: Cent O-Lady (sent already !)
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