'Local English or Standard English' Marianna Pascal, 2009 Toastmasters Speech Contest, Malaysia

Summary

In this humorous and reflective speech, the speaker explores the colorful world of Malaysian English, sharing personal anecdotes and cultural insights. Through funny misunderstandings, such as miscommunications about taxis and fruit juice instructions, the speaker illustrates how local English can be both charming and confusing. While emphasizing the importance of Standard English for global communication, the speaker advocates for the preservation of local English varieties, celebrating their vibrancy and uniqueness. Ultimately, the speech champions linguistic diversity, showing how both forms of English can coexist and enrich communication.

Takeaways

• 😀 Embrace local varieties of English as part of cultural identity, but balance it with the need for Standard English for global communication.
• 😀 Local English, like Malaysian English, has its own charm with colorful, unique expressions such as 'where got' and 'can see first.'
• 😀 Local English is deeply rooted in linguistic habits and is difficult to eliminate entirely, even through attempts to standardize language.
• 😀 Language misunderstandings can arise from regional differences in English, as illustrated by humorous examples like 'get down' vs 'get out' of the car.
• 😀 The use of local English is often context-dependent, and it can be confusing for foreigners, as shown by the miscommunication with a taxi driver and local phrases.
• 😀 Even though local English might be hard to understand at first, it’s important to remember that effective communication, despite linguistic differences, still happens across cultures.
• 😀 Cultural exchanges, such as a teacher's conference or work experiences in Malaysia, highlight how local English can be challenging to foreigners but reflects the local culture.
• 😀 The difference a single word or letter makes can significantly impact the meaning of a message, as seen in examples like 'I fly' vs 'I feel' and misunderstandings in restaurant settings.
• 😀 Humor and light-heartedness are often used to cope with the challenges of language barriers and misunderstandings.
• 😀 While it's important to promote Standard English for global understanding, losing local English's vibrant character would be a cultural loss.
• 😀 The speaker concludes by advocating for the coexistence of both Standard and local English, celebrating the richness of linguistic diversity in Malaysia and beyond.

Q & A

What was the first instance of local English the speaker mentioned?

The speaker recalls an instance where her daughter, who is half-Chinese, ran up to her and asked, 'What's this?' which was interpreted as 'What ah?' in Malaysian English, highlighting a common phrase used in the local variety.

What is the speaker's opinion on local varieties of English?

The speaker appreciates local varieties of English, describing them as the 'most colorful English in the world.' She particularly enjoys the unique two-word phrases common in Malaysian English.

What is the significance of the phrase 'get down from the car' mentioned in the script?

The phrase 'get down from the car' is an example of local English that the speaker finds confusing. She humorously contrasts it with the more standard English expression 'get out of the car,' highlighting differences in usage.

How did the speaker's misunderstanding with the taxi driver illustrate the challenges of local English?

The speaker was told, 'Okay, miss, you get down here,' which she initially misunderstood as 'get out here.' This situation illustrated how local English can sometimes cause confusion for foreigners.

What example does the speaker give to show how local English can be difficult for foreigners?

The speaker recalls an instance when she was at a teacher's conference in Kuala Lumpur. A local teacher used the phrase 'Never mind, you follow me,' which the speaker misinterpreted because she didn't have a car and didn’t understand the local meaning.

How did the speaker's British friend Jolene misunderstand a local instruction at work?

Jolene, a British friend, was asked to make fruit juice at a restaurant. The manager told her to 'put in fruit after you switch on,' but she misunderstood, resulting in fruit being ejected from the blender. This was due to the phrasing used, which could have been clearer.

What humorous story did the speaker share about her husband's English?

The speaker shared a funny story where her husband, who was not fluent in English at the time, tried to compliment her during a romantic dance, saying, 'All your eyes are bent,' instead of something more romantic. This miscommunication was both humorous and memorable.

How did the speaker's student, Chai Shen, demonstrate a misunderstanding of English in her experience in London?

Chai Shen, a 17-year-old student, recounted an incident in London where, due to a misunderstanding, she asked for ice cream but was sent to McDonald's. This was an example of how one word or phrase can dramatically change the meaning of what is intended.

What is the speaker's final stance on local English versus Standard English?

The speaker advocates for both Standard English and local varieties. While Standard English is necessary for international communication, she believes it would be a shame to lose the unique, vibrant, and culturally rich local English.

What cultural significance does the speaker attribute to local varieties of English?

The speaker views local English as an integral part of cultural identity. She celebrates its colorful expressions and the way it reflects the unique experiences and personalities of the local people.