Hokkien a blend of local tongues
WHILE Penang Hokkien proponents warn that the dialect is in danger of dying out, expatriates and the non-Chinese community are embracing this unique lingo.
Gemstone dealer Ronni Pinsler, 58, considers himself a local, having been “in and out” of Penang since 1971.
“I am able to communicate but not to the extent of discussing Jungian theories,” Pinsler who is married to a Malaysian, said.
“I took classes to better communicate with my wife’s family.
“Penang Hokkien is an exotic hybrid. My main reason for learning it is to facilitate my ongoing research into Taoist and folk religion practices,” he said, adding that the most difficult aspect of picking up the dialect was the intonation.
“For example, buy and sell both have similar pronunciations but the tone used is different. Also, I tend to confuse it with Singapore Hokkien.
Asked about his favourite phrase, Pinsler said there were many.
Learning Hokkien: Pinsler (left) and Gijzel at the Hokkien class.
“Recently I learnt chiak bay pa, goh bay si (eat not full, starve won’t die). I often use mm chye si (not scared to die) when I come across inconsiderate drivers. They always look astonished,” he said, adding that he also liked the onomatopoeia “you so neoow one” (you are very stingy).
He noted that it made “all the difference” when one was able to speak the dialect here.
“Folks everywhere are delighted when you take the trouble to learn the local dialect and it shows clearly on their faces and in their actions. It definitely helps in getting discounts. Besides, there is nothing better than knowing the local language to break ice when meeting someone for the first time.
“Penang is the last bastion of the patois we refer to as the Penang Hokkien dialect. It’s a blend of local tongues, which makes it so attractive. But speaking it doesn’t mean you are understood in China’s Hokkien province, Fujien.
“As more young folks revert to the more cosmopolitan Mandarin, we will lose our ability to speak it,” he warns.
Manager Luc de Gijzel, 38, has lived in Penang for more than three-and-a-half years and can speak “basic sentences”.
“Whenever I speak to someone in Hokkien, he is surprised but will reply in English. I think this has something to do with local politeness – to speak in a language the other person is most comfortable in,” he said, adding that his favourite phrase was bo boon tay (no problem).
“It can be used on every occasion and never fails to impress people.”
M. Sukirivan, 40, who spent half his life in Penang, rates his proficiency as “5/10 at conversing and 7/10 at understanding”.
“It is actually not difficult to learn because I have friends who help and most people are very encouraging.
“I picked up the dialect so that it would be easier to communicate with my colleagues. It is so much more convenient for daily transactions.
Software engineer Siti Baizura, 24, agrees.
“My office mates are mostly Chinese. Speaking Penang Hokkien will make it easier to communicate,” the beginner said, adding that her favourite phrase was wa chia loo chut looi (I treat, you pay).
“The dialect is very unique because it is mixed with Malay words. This diversity is what attracted me to learn it,” she said.
All four are currently learning the dialect at the YMCA.
Penang Adventist Hospital paediatric cardio surgeon Dr Zildomar Deucher said he took Penang Hok-kien classes to communicate with his patients and the community.
“I find it very hard to get the right tone especially when it does not have a common ground with my mother tongue – Portuguese.
“I don’t mind if people laugh at my pronunciation but I’m more worried that they might not understand what I’m trying to say,” he quipped.
Australian nationals Pat Jones and her husband Alan picked up the dialect from their local friends.
“Once, when I tried to bargain, the locals started talking about me – I know what ang mor means. Even though I could not really understand everything they were talking about, I threw the things back at the seller and said kam sia (thank you).
“She was shocked,” Pat said, adding that she would consider signing up for classes.
Alan said it was not easy for the elderly couple to remember new words although they were trying to learn.
“Most people here speak English so it makes us lazier to learn the dialect,” he laughs.
This article is courtesy from The Star Metro
