English For Beginners How To Interpret Manglish.
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England - Mangled English Or Manglish
The English language is commonly thought to be the Lingua Franca of the business world.
In other words if you want to conduct business globally, it helps if everyone can understand business English.
English is continually evolving and collecting words from other languages. There is a multitude of variants of English spoken in the world.
i.e. bungalow is Indian. Smuck Yiddish you get the idea.
So if we agree that English is the business language of the world.
And if you want to do business and arrange finance, in the rich developed countries markets, everyone had better learn English. Otherwise you are just there for the tourism.
But before we start running away with ourselves let's not forget about the over a billion Chinese and close to a billion Indians.
India itself has over 700 languages and English is considered an official Indian language.
The same is true for South Africa. Of the 11 official languages of South Africa English is one of them with Afrikaans, Zulu & Xhosa (pronounced cor_ za) amongst others.
When I lived in South Africa it dawned on me very quickly; that when I was talking to anyone of any race they would get that look in their eyes. (what is this guy talking about)
Clearly I was not being understood.
How could this be we were all speaking English, weren't we?
South Africans generally use a different intonation and inflection and they tend to finish sentences on a rising tone.
Almost like they are asking a question. A form of diphthong.
Once you get your head around it, things make more sense.
What You Say Louis?
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It's English Jim But Not As We Know It
Luckily having been a teacher in England for many years, in multi racial schools in London.
I was familiar with the various sometimes subtle differences that exist in the English that is spoken in different parts of the world. And that glazed look that comes over faces when they have no idea, what you are saying!
Sometimes I would come out of meetings and wonder "what really went on there, did we all agree on something or not"?
It's the African way, particularly amongst the Xhosa & Zulu, who love to talk and discuss issues.
They just love to discourse. No way can they be considered hasty in the decision making process.
For a Londoner who expects everything to be have been done yesterday already; and for everyone to be on the same page, it was a wake up call.
A good friend of mine Sashluko, a Xhosa headman over a cup of tea advised me to slow down, everything will get done I just need to relax and slow down.
I felt and thought that I was already almost horizontal in terms of relaxation.
I learned a powerful lesson from this little chat. South Africa works to it's own rhythm.
Projects that you think will never get done suddenly seem to grow out of the ground.
And Bam! it's done and you can't understand how it happened.
All On The Same Page. What Page?
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Manglish
This confusion in the same language made me come up with a word to describe what I was hearing.
I called it Manglish.
I thought I had coined a new word (of which I was very proud) unfortunately for me the Singaporeans had beat me to it.
Singaporean and Malaysian English has some unique elements because of the difficulty for the locals to pronounce R’s.
Hence Rolex become Lolex and they spell it, that way too.
The USA ? now there's a whole book of differences right there.
Our American cousins across the pond, tend to churn out at least 10 new English words every year.
Many are so specific to the USA that they are simply known as Americanism's.
I used to think of all of the above as a kind of language abuse.
I have now come to the conclusion that this is actually the forge fire of the new English of the world.
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The Two Ronnies Speak Manglish Four Candles No Fork Handles!
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English For Beginers
Do You Have Trouble Understanding Some Versions Of English?
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Ah, yes! Here it is! Manglish - I love it! You also made me think of something: even if two countries speak the same language, language is still part of culture. That's why you see so many different words. For example, in the US, we say elevator. The UK says "lift," right? A "trolley" over here is like a big tour bus with no windows and lots of people touring a place. Isn't it a "truck" in the UK? I just love this language stuff! Voted up and SHARING.
Hello raakachi,
I wanted to show everyone with this hub, that even the English manage to mangle, their own language and the video, is a perfect example of this in action. I am happy that you liked it and it made you laugh.
English for beginners lol funny we have to start with the English use of manglish lol
very interesting to read and as well as informative too.You have selected an opt video for the demo which really makes me laugh! voted as interesting!
Manglish spoken by the 'English'
Hello PrairiePrincess,
I agree English spoken around the world can be so beautiful.
In fact to listen to Cape Coloureds speak English, is like listening to music.
With their sing song delivery and mostly, fairly high pitched accents. It is a joy.
I have met people, from many African nations and interestingly. They can pronounce my surname at first attempt, as they sound every syllable. I was astonished and impressed.
The majority of British people in Britain cannot pronounce my name even to this day.
My surname name is an Anglicized version of my Gaelic name.
It is always nice to hear your name pronounced correctly.
Names in all African Cultures are extremely important, and to mispronounce a name is the height of bad manners and very embarrassing.
Thanks for sharing your experiences with your Nigerian friends, as you say time and experience helps us to learn new ways of understanding each other.
Molometer, nice hub! I used to go to an African church (most of the congregants were from Nigeria) and at first, I could only understand about a third of what they were saying. I got used to it, though, and to love the sound of their voices. Very musical form of English!
English does have so many versions: it was interesting to read about your experiences. Voted up, awesome, and interesting!
It is amazing how many different types of English there are in the world and yet somehow we manage to relate and communicate.
Well Hello glassvisage and welcome to my little corner of the hubiverse.
It is amazing how many different types of English there are and somehow we manage to relate and communicate.
Thanks for dropping in and sharing your experience of Manglish with us.
Communication is the key to happiness.
Great Hub. I've actually never heard of the term "Manglish" but I experience it all the time living in the Bay Area, where there are so many different people whose first language is not English. I get that "look" in the eyes a lot from others.
Thanks psychicdog for the visit and comment.
Hmm adventure novel hey; what a great idea for a book:)
I really must get on with it.
Fascinating hub, Molometer...you writing reads like a good adventure novel!
Majadez, you know come to think of it, it really is kind of odd that we still hear ourselves in a different way to the way it comes out of our mouths.
I think it would be interesting to hear ourselves on audio tape or video.
Do a kind of blind test and see if you can pick your voice out.
Wonder what it means. Maybe some form of residual self image for the voice?
Thanks for the insights.
Sneha, You are so saucy and I like you lol.
Vive la différence.
It makes the world go around. If we were all the same it would be a dull world indeed.
That is quite true. I also sound the same in my head. Perhaps we just don't notice the voice in our heads change... Or, it doesn't change; only the thought to speech process changes and we sound different only when we open our mouths. Interesting...
lol... *blush**blush*...nice cat?? me?? hahaha... how much difference is there in a single language in different countries... lol....
Hi Sneha and thanks for being my 100th follower. Nice cat.
Majadez I have had the same experience with people misinterpreting where I am from.
I was born in London but my parents are Irish and I have spent many years in South Africa.
Now I am back in the UK.
My accent is an amalgam like yours and when I am teaching the kids often ask me if I am from Australia? Go figure that one out.
In my head I think I sound the same as I always did but obviously not.
Certain words like South Africa come out as Sath Afriga etc. without me consciously being aware of it until someone says; are you from SA and I say no?
Thanks for coming over we have much to discuss I am sure.
Hi Sneha you did make me laugh out loud.
"Is vice/versa written as "wice/wersa" in England or America??? If so then I didn't knew that"
It was a play on words replacing the V with a W. This is quite common in Malaysia and India.
In both the UK & USA we say Vis A Versa.
In Egypt they replace P with B for example they will ask for a Bepsi not a Pepsi.
In Korea they exchange and R for an L so Really becomes Learly etc
Thanks for your welcome contribution to this great debate.
Hi phdast7 and thanks for dropping in.
I love the English language and all it's derivatives.
Wow what a combination Georgia Southern Baptist and Polish Catholic immigrant.
I bet it scandalised the neighborhood back in the 50's but I think I can trump you.
I also have an grand aunt who moved to the USA from Eire in the 1920's and she married a Polish Catholic and they lived in Buffalo NY.
Her children (my cousins) still live there and I visited them in 1979.
It made the Buffalo News as I was the first person from the old country she had seen in 60 odd years.
I love the Georgia accent. So refined and elegant.
Thanks for letting us in on the family scandal. lol
I remember when I first arrived in Europe with a strong South African accent. Nobody understood a word I was saying and slowly I had to adjust my speaking to align more with the American style of speech. I spent time at international schools in Croata (mostly American) and in London. The three accents mixed and now it appears that I have no accent at all. I once met a South African lady in London. After I spoke, she responded: "You don't sound South African." The people in SA are always asking me: "Are you local?" The people in Europe (Croatia) are always asking where I'm from... I don't even know how to respond anymore. As long as we all understand each other.
I learnt from your hub. ;)
Is vice/versa written as "wice/wersa" in England or America??? If so then I didn't knew that.
And yes your Xhosa friend did advised you right. People from those countries who doesn't have English as the mother tongue can easily understand when an American speaks in English because their accent is a bit slow and complete but some of the people do have a hard time in understanding what a Britisher is saying because the flow of words is so fast and I personally believe that the words are not so clear and complete, because of the fast accent. I too had the same problem. I was easily able to understand what an American is saying but for Britishers...(you got it!!) But then I started watching movies and videos and now I don't face that much of problem with the British accent. Things are getting better!! :-)
I found your hub informative and interesting. Probably because of my childhood and family circumstances. My mother was a typical Georgia Southern Baptist who had a university degree and taught English; then to the great surprise of her entire family she married a Polish Catholic immigrant (remember this was the early fifties) who could barely speak English, although he spoke German and Russian in addition to his mother tongue; he joined the Air Force and so our family traveled around the world bring exposed to many languages. Anyway, languages, and in particular the vagaries and interesting history of the English language have always fascinated me. Great HUB.
Hello Natalie you did make me chuckle. I am liking wery much your wovely vords!. I see you have the George Bush spelling for POTATOES too. Well done and thanks for the comment and vote up.
In India they switch a "W" for a "V" and vice/versa or should I say wise/wersa....
How about those potatoes?
You really did make me burst out laughing Hubertsvoice, I love the Huhwoedys I've seen it on peoples faces when I speak.
Talking of Brooklyn after the British invasion of the 60' it all went a bit quiet until a little guy called Freddie Laker started doing cheap flights to the US. 59 pounds one way.
So in 1979 I hit New York.
I walked into a fried fish shop and said in my best English "may I have some fish and chips please"
The woman behind the counter shouted "Hey Harry,come and get a load of 'dis guy"
Harry duly came out and the woman said to me "say it agin' honey" So I did. They both cracked up laughing. I got my fish and a few weeks later I was American as apple pie. I'd walk into a shop and demand "gimme one of dem burgers" I fitted right in. lol
molometer You do realize that the British invasion of the 60s, Beatles, Roling stones, Chad and Jeremy, etc. Played quite a number on the English language. Mixing "Americanisms" with British wit and sarcasm, mix in a little Brooklyn attitude some southern charm. Blend for a summer and come up with a language known as Huhwoedys, pronounced "Huh, what on earth did you say?"
molometer Hub Author 2 months ago
Hi cclitgirl,
'Two countries separated by a common language'By GBS no less.
We call it a Coach or tour bus.
I am a huge fan of the English language in all it's forms.
I love nonsense poetry too.
Late one day in the middle of the night! etc