My Kids Will Be Born Abroad.
“If you speak three languages, what is it called?”
“Trilingual.”
“If you speak two languages, what is it called?”
“Bilingual.”
“If you speak one language, what is it called?”
“Mon…”
“You must be an American.” – BinGregory
We both laughed because we know it is true. And sad.
It is Saturday morning at BinGregory’s house in Kuching, all six of his kids are playing a computer game on-line that enables you to chat with the others playing the game.
“I can ask you in Malay. Or in Arabic,” one of them tells the other.
Their father was telling me yesterday that their primary school curriculum consists of learning a few different languages. Malay, Mandarin, Arabic, and English. Sometimes they speak in all different languages in the same breath… a rojak, or “mix.”
Every place that I’ve traveled outside the U.S., I meet kids and adults alike that speak 3-4 different languages each.
Can you say jealous ? In Mandarin? Hahaha. The funny thing is that these folks sometimes don’t appreciate what they’ve got because it is so normal for them.
Oops, gotta go, his eldest is explaining to me the difference between roti canoi and thosai (or dosa, for you South Asian folks). I love learning the Malay words for South Asian foods!
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Welcome! This site serves two main purposes: to entertain and educate the Believing and curious community, and to generate a bit of cash—God willing. But there’s a lot more about HijabMan.
Farheen at 20 April 09 :: #
Aap Urdu naay bohl tae?
atikah at 20 April 09 :: #
it’s actually roti canai. haha. have fun in malaysia! i am a malaysian myself and i enjoy your posts about my country. :)
SA at 21 April 09 :: #
In Singapore, it’s called roti prata, instead of roti canai. Really the same thing, but I think roti canai (Malaysian version) is kinda sweet. Or maybe I am imagining it. :)
looks forward to heating up some instant prata for dinner
HippieMom at 21 April 09 :: #
Hmm but in Malaysia roti canai and roti parata is different. i think?
Soni at 22 April 09 :: #
i’m hungry! ;p
UmmFarouq at 8 May 09 :: #
Jealous that you were sitting with Bin Gregory’s kids…whenever I look at his pictures my kids come running to say how much they’d like to meet them. And try durian. And buy pretty batique printed Malay clothing.
Salam, Br. BinGregory and Family!
HijabMan, you give new meaning to ibn Battuta.