Zaki and his haircut

Zaki came back from school yesterday demanding that I took him for a hair cut. He said there would be a spot check today, and those who has long hair, better watch out because the discipline teacher would be very happy to cut their hair for free.

I told him that his hair was still short and within the guideline as stated in the school’s regulation book. He still demanded that we took him for a haircut.

Since my hubby was not free, I took him to the barber myself. This is the first time I took him for a haircut at the men’s saloon. I didn’t know where the place is, so he guided me to the shop. It was an Indian shop with Indian workers. 

Before we entered the shop, he had told me that he wanted the Robbie Van Persie’s haircut. 

“Whose hair?” I asked.
“Robbie Van Persie,” he answered.
“No way,” I said. 

Actually I don’t know how is Van Persie’s hair looks like, but I know he is an Arsenal footballer. When we stepped in, the shop was empty except for few workers. Two guys approached us, and immediately Zaki was taken to sit at the chair furthest in.

Since the chair is for adults, the guy has to add additional bench for him to sit. I told the guy not to cut too short in Malay, and he nodded his head. I thought he understood what I said.

I happily read my book, and when I looked up, I saw that he had cut it very short.

“Eh! Kenapa pendek (why so short) ? ” I asked. 

He just raised his thumb, and that when I knew he didn’t understand Malay. I asked him whether he understand English, and he said, “No. Only Tamil.”

I gave up and let him continue. Luckily it was only at the back and the side that was very short. The top is still okay.

When we walked out from the shop, he asked, “Why so short?”
My respond, “Oh! Isn’t that how Van Persie’s hair looks like?”

“Noooo!” he said.

I smiled.

Bahasa Melayu, Arab or English?

Last night, Zaki, told me that his teacher asked them to do their revision as they will be having their test next week. "Oh! Okay, go and take your book," I said. He went to his room and brought back three books.

"Hmm...shouldn't we just do only one tonight?" I asked him.

"No. Teacher said I must read all these books," he said and shown me his English, Bahasa Melayu and Arabic books.

"Okay, let's start," I said thinking that this will be easy.


He took the Arabic book and opened the first page. "Read," I said knowingly that I might embarrassed myself for not able to answer him.


He was staring at the book and then he said ,"I don't know. When at school, I pretended to open my mouth to read," he said and showed me how he did.

"What? You cannot do that. Didn't you ask your teacher when you don't know?"
He shook his head. "Okay, let me see," I said and looked at the book. 


First word, no problem. I can pronounced it and know what it means but as we progressed through the next few pages, I can read but cannot pronounced it correctly and don't know what it meant. Few times he corrected my pronunciation and when I asked him what the meaning of the words, he don't know.  That's was when the pictionary dictionary that I bought for him came to my rescue.


I always find it a problem when teaching my kids languages, whether it is Bahasa Melayu, English or Arabic. Give me maths and science, I would have no problem. In fact, I can teach my oldest son, Syafiq, how to do differentiation and integration in Maths but the moment he asked me something about Bahasa Melayu, I surrender.

I don't know but I found it that Bahasa Melayu is quite difficult to teach. Maybe because it is our everyday language that we take it for granted and never really bother to learn the right way of writing the language. Furthermore, I always mixed my words with Bahasa Melayu and English and that is bad. Bad! Bad! Bad for the kids.


My friend who is a children book's author has invited me to join her for the Bahasa Melayu tinggi class but so far I have not accept her invitation. I guess with my struggle with the language and for the sake of my kids Bahasa Melayu, I better join her and it is also not too late for me to learn Arabic. Don't you agree?


Okay gotta go..Have to get my little girl ready for her school...Salam

British English vs Malaysian English

I received this in my mail this morning from my office mate. I think this is worth sharing with everyone just for a good laugh. I don't know who created this but I have to thanks him/her. Hope you enjoy reading this!


British English vs. Malaysian English
Who says our English is bad? Just read below - Ours is simple, short, concise, straight-to-the-point, effective etc.


WHEN GIVING A CUSTOMER BAD NEWS
Britons: I'm sorry, sir, but we don't seem to have the sweater you want in your size, but if you give me a moment, I can call the other outlets for you.

Malaysians: No stock.


RETURNING A CALL
Britons: Hello, this is John Smith. Did anyone call for me a few moments ago?

Malaysians: Hello, who call?


ASKING SOMEONE TO MAKE WAY
Britons: Excuse me, I would like to get by. Would you please make way?

Malaysians: S-kew me.


WHEN ASKING FOR PERMISSION
Britons: Excuse me, but do you think it would be possible for me to enter through this door?

Malaysians: (pointing at the door) Can ah?


WHEN ENTERTAINING
Britons: Please make yourself right at home.

Malaysians: No need shy shy one lah!


WHEN DOUBTING SOMEONE
Britons: I don't recall you giving me the money.

Malaysians: Where got?


WHEN DECLINING AN OFFER
Britons: I would prefer not to do that, if you don't mind...

Malaysians: Don't want lah.


WHEN ASKING SOMEONE TO LOWER THEIR VOICE.
Britons: Excuse me, but could you please lower your voice? I'm trying to concentrate over here.

Malaysians: Shut up lah!


WHEN ASSESSING A TIGHT SITUATION.
Britons: We seem to be in a bit of a predicament at the moment..

Malaysians: Die lah!!


WHEN SOMEONE DID SOMETHING WRONG
Britons: This isn't the way to do it. Here, let me show you.

Malaysians: Like that also don't know how to do!


WHEN ONE IS ANGRY
Britons: Would you mind not disturbing me?

Malaysians: Celaka you!