I know the silly season has arrived when I read this report, Chinese educationists threaten protest over English usage.
The silliness is even more pronounced by the scenario shown by this op-ed piece in Malaysian Insider entitled, Speaking in tongues.
The basic proposition in the op-ed piece is, how are these Mandarin language, anti-English language chauvinists going to communicate their grievance to a general public in Mandarin?
I suppose the Dong Zong or Jiao Zong buggers can also communicate their grievance in Bahasa Malaysia. This should bring a warmish sort of glow to the hearts of the other buggers at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.
I guess us English-proficient buggers are in the minority. That is why we can't afford to be silly. We shall have to stick to being knowledgeable and wise I guess...
4 comments:
English-proficient buggers! Yes, I'd like to consider myself one of them!
:)
English-proficient buggers (men only qualify, Lita!!!!) but what the heck, you are family here. However Dong Jong spoilt my Sunday after the laughs I got from my last posting courtesy of The Might of the Pen.
hi zorro
I used the word "bugger" as a self-deprecatory pejorative. As described in Wikipedia, "Bugger is a slang word used in vernacular British English, Irish English, Australian English, New Zealand English, South African English, Indian English, and occasionally also in Malaysian English and American English. Today, the term is a general-purpose expletive, used to imply dissatisfaction ("bugger, I've missed the bus"), or used to describe someone or something whose behaviour is in some way displeasing ("the bugger's given me the wrong change"/"my computer's being a bit of a bugger"). There are yet other English speaking communities where the word has been in use traditionally without any profane connotations whatsoever; for instance, within the Anglo-Indian community in India the word "bugger" has been in use, in an affectionate manner, to address or refer to a close friend or fellow schoolmate."
So, in this sense it's ok if Lita deems herself to be part of the group of "buggers" proficient in English.
On the physiological side, I may need to do some more research on whether a bugger is necessarily from one gender only.
As a matter of interest, the American Heritage Dictionary defines "bugger" to include "One who installs electronic bugs." In this sense, some buggers in Bukit Aman may also feel comfortable with being so referred. But I digress.... :D
Whoa there CT,
It's Sunday, bud, stay cool! Hahahah! What's with all the bugger stuff?
When my students used 'bugger'(your definition) in RMC, I told them to look up what it really meant!They did, and couldn't believe it, and tried so hard to stop using it!!! Hahahaha. I find most men are sooooo homophobic!
So all you buggers, and us bugglies (from lovlies ;), have you noticed how those who protest about English, are people who are able to speak it, and very well, too?
The same happened with B.M - and they won: cos you are right, those of us who are comfortable in and with English, just number a few now.
And all in the name of what? Nationhood? Nation hoods, if you ask me.
Pat
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