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Kenapa Perlu Kuasai Bahasa Inggeris ? (PART 1)

2009-10-10T23:09:00.000-07:00

Assalamualaikum semua;

Terus terang saya katakan, saya bukanlah seorang cikgu bahasa Inggeris atau pakar bahasa. Saya juga bukanlah orang Inggeris. Saya orang Melayu seperti anda juga (kalau yang bukan Melayu tu, saya juga bukan Inggeris seperti anda;)) Jadi mengapa saya beria-ia mengajak anda untuk menguasai bahasa Inggeris?

Ada banyak sebab sebenarnya. Tapi inti dari segala sebab-sebab itu ialah satu: agar kita dapat meningkatkan ilmu pengetahuan kita.

Ya. Itulah sebabnya.

Terus terang saya katakan, hampir 99% ilmu saya dicedok dari sumber-sumber berbahasa Inggeris. Sejak kecil hinggalah layak bergelar ibu orang, bahasa Inggeris banyak "berjasa" kepada saya. Adalah lumrah, seseorang manusia itu sifatnya "curious" atau ingin tahu. Saya seorang yang ingin tahu, malah sangat ingin tahu. Satu-satunya cara saya merawat rasa ingin tahu saya itu adalah dengan membaca. Tapi malangnya, ilmu pengetahuan yang saya ingin tahu itu amat sukar untuk didapati dalam bahasa Melayu. Jika ada pun, informasinya sudah 'ketinggalan bas'.

Sekarang, mungkin kita sudah semakin maju. Berbanding zaman kanak-kanak dan remaja saya dulu, sekarang lebih banyak buku-buku ilmu dalam bahasa Melayu.

TAPIiiiiiiiiiiii....

Peratus dan kualitinya masih jauuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhh terhad kalau dibanding ilmu yang boleh didapati dalam bahasa Inggeris. Hakikatnya, dalam zaman ini, bahasa Inggeris adalah bahasa "lingua franca" penduduk dunia. Jika anda "reti" berbahasa Inggeris, insyaAllah anda boleh bergaul dengan sesiapa sahaja, dan pergi ke mana sahaja. Mungkin anda kata, terdapat golongan orang-orang yang tidak tahu berbahasa Inggeris jadi tak guna kalau reti bahasa Inggeris pun. Jawapan saya, adalah lebih baik anda ada "bekal" bahasa Inggeris daripada tau bahasa Melayu sahaja. Peluang untuk anda difahami oleh bukan Melayu walau di bumi mana pun, adalah lebih cerah jika anda reti berbahasa Inggeris berbanding jika anda hanya tahu berbahasa Melayu. Ini kerana, peluang adanya orang bukan Melayu yang reti berbahasa Inggeris lebih tinggi jika dibanding yang tau berbahasa Melayu.

Jika anda ke Sepanyol misalnya, mungkin mereka semua tidak reti berbahasa Inggeris. Tapi tidak mustahil jika anda menemui seorang yang reti. Anda hanya perlu bercakap dalam bahasa Inggeris, dan orang Sepanyol itu tadi akan menterjemahkan kepada rakan-rakannya, dan begitu juga sebaliknya. Bayangkan jika anda hanya tau bahasa Melayu, pasti sukar kan?

Itu dari segi komunikasi. Dari segi ilmu dan informasi, peluang mengetahui sesuatu subjek juga akan menjadi lebih cerah jika anda celik bahasa Inggeris. Saya ambil contoh Sepanyol itu tadi lagi. Mungkin anda perlu tau tentang undang-undang perniagaan di sana. Tetapi anda tidak faham bahasa Sepanyol. Berbekalkan bahasa Inggeris, anda boleh meminta info perniagaan di Sepanyol dalam bahasa Inggeris. Peluang ini lebih cerah jika dibanding anda meminta informasi dalam bahasa Melayu.

Begitu juga dengan apa sahaja informasi yang anda ingin tahu. Saya sering ditanya, bagaimana saya seolah-olahnya tau terlalu banyak perkara. Cakap apa saja subjek, saya boleh berkongsi subjek itu dengan anda, siap dengan info dan fakta terkini dan banyak lagi. Pada mulanya, saya sendiri rasa pelik dengan soalan jenis ni. Bagi saya, senang saja, bacalah. Saya bukan ahli nujum atau apa, saya cuma membaca di masa lapang saya. Itu saja.

Kemudian baru saya faham. Mereka yang menyoal saya itu rata-ratanya hanya membaca dari sumber berbahasa Melayu.

Maaf saya katakan, kebanyakan info yang didapati oleh orang-orang yang hanya membaca dari sumber bahasa Melayu adalah terhad atau sudah lapuk. Contohnya, sekarang ni orang kita sibuk berbicara tentang pembelian rumah secara pinjaman bank yang dikatakan cukup untuk menjadikan seseorang itu hidup senang. Saya tidak mahu berbicara lebih lanjut tentang isu itu tapi terus terang saya katakan, info itu sudah lapuk. Orang kita berbicara mengenainya seperti baru sahaja mendengar tentangnya, sedangkan orang lain sudah bertahun-tahun yang lalu mengetahui tentang perkara ini.

Begitu juga dalam banyak hal lain.

Ramai juga orang kita yang terlalu bergantung kepada seseorang yang ada "gelaran". Contohnya, gelaran pakar atau professor dan sebagainya untuk mengetahui tentang sesuatu perkara yang sebenarnya boleh didapati dengan mudah hanya dengan membaca.

Percayalah, APA SAHAJA yang anda ingin tahu, boleh didapati DENGAN MUDAH hanya dengan membaca. Tetapi, segala informasi itu adalah dalam bahasa Inggeris. ya, apa saja. Fesyen? Cara-cara menambat hati suami? Bagaimana untuk cantik semulajadi? Ingin berbahasa Itali? Bagaimana nak dapat untung dalam masa singkat? Cara-cara menjahit jaket? Cara-cara menghias malah membuat rumah? Budaya masyarakat kuno Aztec? Undang-undang Australia? Cara-cara berniaga di Cina? Malah ilmu tentang agama yang up-to-date juga boleh didapati dari sumber bacaan bahasa Inggeris. Pendek kata, APA SAJA yang terlintas di fikiran anda, ada info-nya dari sumber bahasa Inggeris. Dan segala info tersebut adalah informasi yang terkini.

Jadi, rakan-rakan sekelian, marilah kita tingkatkan ilmu pengetahuan kita dan seterusnya kualiti hidup kita dengan menguasai bahasa Inggeris. Jika anda ada sebarang persoalan, silakan aju kepada saya. Sila jangan segan atau silu. Malu bertanya sesat jalan. Selamat maju jaya.

Fluency Alone Is NOT Enough

2009-05-20T08:37:00.000-07:00

...This could happen to you when you're cracking your brain for ideas! lol.. *google image

Have you come across people who seem fluent in a particular language, but when it comes to writing a formal letter, or a promotional advertisement, they become speechless?

We often forget that, other than fluency in a particular language, one must also be creative. Fluency does not guarantee creativity or quality in speech. That is why a lot of people can talk, but not many can write. The phrase ‘lost for words’ is spot on.

I remember back when I was 15, a classmate was unhappy when I never failed to get an ‘A’ (or ‘A+) for my English subject. He said, “Of course you get an ‘A’ in English, it’s because you were BORN in United States!” The rest of the class agreed with him and were rather cross with me (I don’t know why they should be? =)) He then challenged, that we should compete in Math, or Science because then it would be ‘fair’ for us in deciding who’s smarter.

Firstly I couldn’t understand why they view my getting an ‘A’ for English as a competition or even a fraud. That said, I calmly replied, “Well, forget about Math. How about we compete in Bahasa Melayu subject instead? (At that time it was still called “Bahasa Melayu”. Later on it was changed to “Bahasa Malaysia”). Since all of you were born in Malaysia, so let’s compete in Bahasa Melayu. What do you think?” The boy and the rest of the classmates were silenced.

I had made a point. I wasn’t born in Malaysia. But I never failed to get an “A” for my Bahasa Melayu subject. They, on the other hand, hardly ever get an ‘A’ for their Bahasa Melayu subject eventhough they were born in Malaysia and the only language they know is Malay. So obviously, where you were born, or being fluent in your own mother tongue or any other language for that matter; does not guarantee that you will be able to translate and write well.

The point is simple: There’s a big difference between knowing the meaning of a foreign word, and knowing how to write a whole essay or article in a foreign language. The former is relatively easy. You could simply rely on a dictionary to understand a foreign language. But the latter is pretty challenging because other than writing in a foreign language, you must also come out with ideas on the subject you are writing about.

I conclude that to be a good translator, you must not only be fluent in languages, but you must also be a creative thinker. Without a creative thinking ability, you will not be able to go far in being an effective translator or interpreter.

On a similar note, here’s an interesting article on this subject.

Translations

2009-05-19T01:48:00.002-07:00

By Mike LaBossiere

[Note: Some part of the article has been censored. View the original article here. The comments are worth reading as well.]

On the face of it, the goal of a translation seems to be obvious: to convert the text from one language to another. However, this is far more problematic than it seems.

Obviously, a word for word translation would not do.

Of course, this notion runs smack into the philosophy of language. When I was in graduate school, Quine and those influenced by him were all the rage. I learned that the old notion of meaning had been taken out back, beaten, fitted with cement shoes and dumped into a flooded quarry. Derrida and his fellows also came into vogue at that time, taking the notion of meaning to places where I could not follow. I still have no idea what he was up to. Some of his followers did their level best to enlighten me with phrases like “language confronting itself as itself.” Alas, being a simple fellow from Maine, all that was beyond me. I did gather that talking about the real meaning of texts was out, though. If these views are correct, the notion that a translator could preserve meaning is nonsense on par with a conservation program trying to preserve unicorns: there are no such animals.

Of course, real translators generally do not let such philosophical messes interfere with their activities. Laying aside these problems, there is still the question of how much a translator should put her mark on the work she is translating. Even if strict meaning cannot be preserved, the intuitive view is that the translator is supposed to translate rather than interpret or re-write. To use an analogy, think of the distinction between an historical documentary and a made for TV movie “inspired by actual events.” A translation, like the documentary, would seem to be expected to stick to the original (events or text). However, the other sort of thing allows greater freedom.

Another analogy can be drawn to visual art. If someone is restoring a work of art, they are expected to return it to the way it was. If someone changes things significantly (for example, painting a statue in a different color than the original), then they are no restoring the work, but altering it. If the changes are significant, then the work can no longer be said to be the same work and it might be wondered if the artist’s name should still be attached to it.

Of course, there are those who think that the translator should take up a role as a co-artist. In what might be seen as an attempt to fire up publicity generating controversy, Douglas Hofstadter has called on translators to take on the role of “co-progenitors.”

In his translation of “La Chamade,” he makes changes to the text and even goes so far as using stock phrases (such as using “bit his tongue” instead of “he said nothing”) and American sayings (”if that doesn’t take the cake!”). In a fit of cleverness, he also changes the title from the literal translation of “Wild Heartbeat” to “That Mad Ache.” “Mad Ache: is of course, an anagram of “Chamade.” Naturally, some translators are not pleased by his approach.

On one hand, his approach can be seen as incorrect. After all, he is purporting to translate the work. If the work is still supposed to be “La Chamade” then it has to be adequately close to the original. If it has been altered, then the reader is not getting “La chamade.” Rather, she is getting an altered text. While this is all well and good, the reader should be informed of this fact so she can make a judgment about which version to buy. After all, if she wants to read “La Chamade”, then she will want a faithful translation. If she wants to read a version mutated by Hofstader, then she can select that copy. But she should know what she is getting.

To use an analogy, I recently went to a restaurant to get some pho. When I arrived, I found that the restaurant was under new management. I ordered the pho anyway and found that the usual clear broth had been replaced with wonton broth. On my view, it was not quite pho anymore. It was pho-like and should perhaps be called “photon” instead of pho. Likewise for what Hofstader does: his “translations” should be labeled as like the orginal, but altered. Of course, he did change the title of “La Chamade”-perhaps as a warning to the reader that they would be getting a remix of the book rather than the orginal.

EGAD! Understanding English Slang

2009-05-19T00:26:00.000-07:00

My husband who stayed for a good few years in North America, relates to me that he couldn't grasp what the British are saying. To him, it seems like a whole different language altogether.

So what is English slang? Why do they say "bloody" whenever they are annoyed? Do they experience a phenomenon of bleeding in their noses whenever their hot blood rises? Or is it the English way of expressing their frustration?

And what about "blimey"? Or "crikey"?

You can try to write these words in your Microsoft Word, and look for the synonyms (Gotcha! :) I'm aware too many of us rely on this, don't mean to be blunt; but this program is hardly a helpful "dictionary"-if it can be called a dictionary at all) and see that the program does not pick up on these words.

In fact most Microsoft Word programs are set to the American slang/dictionary so it is not so helpful in polishing one's English, anyway. But that's a whole different subject altogether.

For those who really want to appreciate the English materials they are reading, be it a novel, a magazine or a literature; here's a good English slang online dictionary for you to refer to: English Slang Dictionary. I've added it on my "Free Online Resource" section on the right hand-side of this blog. Have fun!

Special Message

2009-05-14T05:55:00.000-07:00

PRICE

2009-05-11T09:25:00.000-07:00

~~PROMOTIONAL PRICE~~

~~RM1 per sentence~~

~~RM5 per page~~

Sorry, promotion closed! Email me your work and I will give you the price quote, alright :)

2009-05-11T08:24:00.000-07:00

HELP! Don’t understand lah!?!!

***********************************

peranan dissipate PERSATUAN

“The scope of the order was initially confined to any foreign Defendants from taking assets outside the jurisdiction..”

highly questionable conduct

“…manakala kejuruteraan elektronik merupakan kajian sistem elektronik kecil seperti komputer dan litar bersepadu…”

RELAX! Whether it is a WORD, a SENTENCE or an ESSAY;-

^_^ I can translate for YOU! ^_^

Send your texts to me at kimimayumi@gmail.com

Ready to translate:

1) English to Malay texts

2) Malay to English texts

For more information, go to www.kimimayumi.blogspot.com

2009-05-11T07:16:00.000-07:00

INTRODUCTION

Hi! I'm Kimi.

I've been translating texts since I was in school. I've been dubbed a "kamus bergerak" or a "walking dictionary" in English. Now that I've finished my university program, I seldom get translation queries. That's beginning to frustrate me since I love translating! It's a hobby, and a fun activity that I enjoy doing.

TRANSLATING AND CORRECTING YOUR WORK

Other than translating, I proofread too. This simply means that I correct any type of errors in your work. So don't worry if you use broken English, I can correct them for you.

NATURAL TALENT

Many wonder how I can translate and proofread so well (maybe not perfect; nobody's perfect!), since I do not have any special certificate for that? Well, everyone has a talent. Perhaps this is my God-given talent, so this skill comes to me naturally. Thank God! But make no mistake; I'm still learning everyday to brush up my language skills. Learning never ends!

HOW I CAN HELP YOU

Just some examples ;)

1) If you write an essay in a broken English, I can change it into a grammatically correct English essay.

2) If you have to write an essay in English, but you only know Malay... You can write the essay in Malay and I will translate it to English.

3) You can also send me your work in POINT FORM! Yup, not even complete sentences! How cool is that?? ;) I'll think of how to make up the sentences for you.

AND OF COURSE… You can send me text from any book or article, and I will translate them for you.

For your information, I've proofread a contract and changed it from a broken, layman English to a legal, professional English! So if you have other types of linguistic help, do ask!

WHEN YOU WILL GET BACK YOUR ESSAY

Depending on the amount of work that I have, I may return your translated/corrected texts as early as the next day. If you are lucky, I might even return it to you in the same day!

HOW IT WORKS

1) Send me your texts/essays/work via email or fax

2) I will send you your bill

3) After you pay, I will send you the translated/corrected texts