REPORTS   FROM   PREVIOUS   EVENTS

MALAYSIAN   FLAVOURS
Insights into Things Malaysian with Dr. Lee Su Kim
April, 9

KLPAC was the venue for a very entertaining and informative talk by Dr. Lee Su Kim about some of the language, customs, habits and idiosyncrasies of Malaysians. 

Su Kim is a Malaysian of Straits Chinese heritage and is an Associate Professor at the School of Language Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.  With the use of a Power Point presentation, Su Kim explored the rich cultural and language mix that is Malaysia.

Many countries have twisted and reinvented the English language to produce their own, unique expressions.  Hence, we have “Manglish”, the Malaysian version of this reinvention, with expressions such as cooling and heaty (for foods), outstation, on/off (for things electrical), off day, big size, small size, red colour etc.   The list of expressions was extensive and included such interesting ones as: “eaten more salt than you”, “under the coconut shell”, “like chicken, like duck” and “your coffee shop is open”.   If you missed the talk, you need to talk to someone who was there or a local person to get a translation!

The use of “tail enders” in Malaysia including the omnipresent “lah”, the convenient abbreviations to the language such as “can, can not, can also” were highlighted.  Even if you have only been living in Malaysia for a short time, you are apt to find yourself using some of these expressions.   “Can you take me to the airport?”  “Can”.  “Can you fix the TV?”  “ Can not”.  Why use all those extra words when you can answer more efficiently?!

A part of the talk which generated a lot of audience participation was the section on “Other Features of Malaysian Culture”.  Su Kim talked about cultural aspects here such the concept of “face” as in saving face, losing face, showing face, giving face.  The Malaysian concept of being on time (she called it rubber time) was explored with insights given as to when it was appropriate to be on time and when it was expected, in fact desirable, to be late.  The cultural differences around shaking hands, hugging, giving and receiving gifts, giving and receiving compliments were all explored with many in the audience asking questions and sharing their experiences.

We learned a lot and laughed at many of the situations and confusions that arise from the mingling of cultures.

 Dr. Lee Su Kim brought three of her books “Malaysian Flavours”, “Manglish – Malaysian English” and “A Nonya in Texas”.   Sales of the books were brisk and orders were taken for additional copies. 

It was an interesting, stimulating, and informative morning in an attractive new venue.

Pam Boucher

BOOK CLUB REPORTS

Group 1
Two Lives by Vikram Seth

All of us in the group were unanimous in our overall review of the book. It was an enjoyable, memorable, interesting and thought provoking read.

Spanning almost the entire breadth of the 20th century, Two Lives is Seth’s masterful tribute to his aunt Henny and his Uncle Shanti. Henny was Jewish, born in Germany and the only one in her family to have escaped the holocaust by moving to England.  Shanti traveled from India to UK and Germany where he qualified as a dentist, enlisted in the war, lost his arm yet managed to successfully set up his own private dental practice in Britain. These two ordinary people lived in extraordinary times and Seth’s dual biography provides a meditation on the resiliency of an entire generation that experienced firsthand the depths of human cruelty and horror. He also introduces the reader to a range of historical events, touches on the current situation in Israel/Palestine and raises questions and reflections in the context of these events.

Two Lives is divided into five parts, each stylistically different. It begins with an autobiographical section explaining how the author came to know his uncle and aunt in 1969 when he went to England to study. He came to know much more about their lives after his aunt’s death 20 years later when he began a series of interviews with Shanti. He also had access to a trunk full of old letters belonging to Henny from her family and friends both in Germany and outside. Through these and the talks with his uncle, Seth was able to create a truly unforgettable double portrait of their lives.

The book ends under the shadow of hatred but on a note of unsentimental poignancy, close to prayer. “If we cannot eschew hatred, at least let us eschew group hatred. May we see that we could have been born as each other.”

Hootoksi Tyabji

Group 2
Breaking the Tongue by Vyvynne Loh

The book took our group discussion in many directions.  As is true with many of our book selections, the discussion helped to bring light to many underlying, sophisticated subplots.

The story unfolds through Claude Lim, who is college age and is of Chinese heritage.  He is living in colonial Singapore during WWII and it is for the most part pre Japanese invasion. We are introduced to Claude’s family members and watch how the difficult times force each to cope and ultimately pull them in different directions. There are two other main characters, one a British family acquaintance, the other a young Chinese nurse.

It is through these characters that we learn about the fall of Singapore.  The author has taken great pains to include the complex issue of racism but in a compassionate light. Situations are included and described with such clarity that the reader is left with impressions of how the different cultures interacted and reacted.  All the characters are strong, well defined, and are cleverly inter woven as events lead up to the horrors of the Japanese invasion.

As we discussed the intricacies of the novel, we were compelled to admire first time novelist, Vyvyanne Loh.  She grew up in Singapore and has discovered that students were taught historic inaccuracies so it is her hope to clear up many misconceptions of the period. She lives in the USA and is a practicing Dr., employed choreographer, and now author. Just as her life is multi-dimensional, so too is “Breaking the Tongue”.

The consensus of the group is that the book would be best appreciated if read with few interruptions to keep the continuity of the events and characters.  We also admired the writing techniques she used to draw us into circumstances we have never experienced.  Each of us agreed we would be interested in Vyvyanne Loh’s future works.

Kathyrn Meidinger

NEWSLETTER REPORT

This is the March issue of the newsletter. The next issue will be in June.  The deadline for sending in your articles/photos is April 8. Please email your write ups to newsletter@malaysianculturegroup.com or jaishreemcg@gmail.com

The write-ups should not be more than 350 words.  They should be in Times New Roman font size 11.
We would love to have photographs along with your write ups.

Jaishree Balasubramanian    

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Eligibility
Please note that all events, apart from the lecture, are for members only, unless otherwise stated.