Category Archives: Language

Integration the world over

Posted on March 20, 2017 by Tricia

First published in theSun on 16 March 2017, here. IN August 2015, I visited France at a time when the Syrian refugee crisis was just unfolding, causing much uncertainty and consternation. The discussions I had with academics and policy analysts … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethno-Religious Politics, General Politics, Human Rights, Language, Liberalism, Outside Malaysia, Religion | Leave a comment

Teaching for Malaysia

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Tricia

(first published in theSun on 1st May 2014) ONE Friday afternoon, I took a break from my office job and went to a school just outside Kuala Lumpur to teach a bunch of pubescent kids. I had hoped that I could … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Language | Leave a comment

Allah, Tuhan, God, Shang-Ti, Dio!

Posted on December 23, 2007 by Tricia

Welcome to Malaysia, where leaders confuse culture and religion. This issue is not new, and has arisen yet again. Alerted to me by Malaysiakini here, The Herald, a Catholic newsletter, will not get its publishing license renewed if it does … Continue reading →

Posted in Language, Religion | 24 Comments

Uni-Versity

Posted on July 26, 2006 by Tricia

This is a record day for me: 9 postings in a day. When inspiration strikes, you answer its call, and this is the final entry for the day: Did you know the word University really means “unity in diversity”? We … Continue reading →

Posted in Language | Leave a comment

steif

Posted on April 29, 2006 by Tricia

heiß kalt aber steif und ein bisschen müde ich muss immer erlinnen, wir sind in dieser zwischen Zeit 

Posted in Language, Personal | 3 Comments

God the multilinguist

Posted on April 15, 2006 by Tricia

Let's have a Little Language Lesson, shall we? The monotheistic religions refer to their higher being as "God". Let's see what the word is translated into, in the different colourful languages of the world: Arabic: Allah Chinese: Shang Ti German: … Continue reading →

Posted in Language, Religion | 4 Comments

Forgive & Forget

Posted on April 1, 2006 by Tricia

I took a German course for 9 months in my year abroad. Because it is so similar in form to English, it was a breeze to me and I could chatter to friends quickly. Basic conversation, of course. In Berlin … Continue reading →

Posted in Language, Religion | 3 Comments

Scheibenkleister

Posted on February 14, 2006 by Tricia

My German friend constantly said “Scheibenkleister” whenever something went wrong. Literally translated, it means “slates of cement”. I found it very amusing that one would say “slates of cement” whenever one cut oneself, or dropped something by accident. It’s no … Continue reading →

Posted in Language, Theology | 4 Comments