Sunday, January 4, 2009

Different language, Different grammar!

Hey! I bet most of you frequently heard of people implementing one language's grammar on another language. Things like "Ni yao zhai na ni chi?", if directly translated into English would be "Where you want to eat?"

But have you ever heard of English grammar in Cantonese!!!

I followed my papa to help him purchase something. He drove and explained, "Okay, Andy, go buy 2 Dunhill cigarette packets. Both big". The first shop did not have supplies, so we proceeded to the second one.

I got off the car, entered the second shop and stop in front of the counter. Okay from here on I will be speaking in Cantonese and English translation will be provided! The lady boss was chatting with her friend.
I interupted and said, "Errr... Dunhill, two big packets."
(In Canto) "Errr... Dunhill, liong go tai pao."
Simultaneously, I pointed at 2 packets of Dunhill at shelf behind her. She then took one Dunhill packet and put it on the counter and continued to chat with her friend.
Puzzled, I asked, "Huh? One more packet?"
(In Canto) "Huh? Do yat bao?"
The lady boss then replied in Cantonese while giggling, "OH! I thought you asked for one packet of Dunhill and two TAI PAO! I was going to call someone to get it for you!"


Droolzzz~

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