Ever since she got married, I’ve been reading her articles about how she’s dealing with her marriage life, and they never fail to crack me up. This article, talking about her reluctance to replace her maiden name with her husband’s surname, is no exception. Her description of surnames is indeed one-of-a-kind.
Unfortunately, I can’t find the online text for this article. Don’t feel like scanning since nobody will read it anyway. I’ll just type out one short funny paragraph.
The Sunday Times, 20 Feb 2011,
“What’s in a surname?” by Sumiko Tan
For another, the new combination doesn’t have a pleasant ring. “Tan” has a nice, weighty, finality to it. “Quek” sounds too lightweight, unfinished and (let’s be honest now), even funny.
That’s a really honest statement. I actually agree with her. For those who aren’t familiar with dialect surnames, “Quek” will only sound like the sound ducks make.
I don’t wish to go around making fun of other people’s surnames, so I shall choose my own as a target for this entry. This is fair since it’s the only surname I have first-person experience with. My parents have the same surname so yea…my scope is pretty limited in that sense.
So, what’s good and what’s bad in being a “Ng”? It’s one of the most common surnames in Singapore, so I might offend quite a few people with my negative comments, but hopefully most will share the same sentiments as me (if there is even anyone who thinks so deeply into their own surnames).
The Good:
This should be the shortest a surname can ever be. Have you ever seen a single-lettered surname? (after Romanization) Even for other nationalities, nope. Unless it’s an initial, which doesn’t count in this case.
Thanks to this, I have a pretty easy time all these while writing my name on application forms, worksheets, attendance list, and many other documents that require full name. This advantage is further accentuated when shading the letters of my name on OAS. I pity those with long names for this one…
Uh…what else? Can’t seem to think of any more good points. That’s it? Unbelieveable…
The Bad:
Ok I think I can rant a lot on this, not that I’m particularly dissatisfied or anything. Short and sweet is good, but not when it has a combination of letters which makes it hard to pronounce for non-Chinese. Well, “Non-Chinese” is an understatement since some PRCs don’t know how to pronounce my surname too.
“Ng” doesn’t contain a vowel, so one has to assume a vowel sound in front before pronouncing. Hence I hear things like ‘ang’, ‘eng’, ‘ong’, etc. I used to pronounce my name with the nasal ‘n’ sound, but I realized some people can’t really catch it, so I tried to reduce the nasal sound, as in ‘erng’ (without nasal), such that it sounds more solid. Ok this is hard to describe with words, never mind. I’ve also heard “ngang”, “ngiam”, whatever you can think of. No idea where they got the additional sound behind from. My ears must always be prepared to capture a variety of pronunciations.
So, which surname seems to be more ‘lightweight’ now? Without a vowel, it’s like floating in the air, When I spell out the letters individually, it turns out to be the widely used abbreviation for something undesirable – ‘No Good’. When I repeat it twice, it sounds like describing defecation, or passing of bowels, a synonym of ‘put put’. It’s the subset of longer surnames like ‘Zhang’, ‘Yong’ ‘Wong’ and many many more. No uniqueness on its own.
Fortunately, ‘Ng’ is compatible with most English names. So you won’t get jokes like ‘Nelson Tan’, ‘Monica Chng’, ‘Lucy Leow’, ‘Pete Tsai’, etc. This part should be classified under ‘The Good’…heh. On the other hand, it may create funny combinations on a NS name tag, like ‘B A NG’, ‘K E NG’. But let’s think a little deeper – though possible, having a vowel initial in Chinese names isn’t very common. Such combinations definitely need a vowel in front to work.
All these are just petty, insignificant reasons, thought up in my mind over the years that I’ve used my name. Nobody has ever admired my surname, nor laughed/teased it. It’s pretty neutral I guess. Can’t think of any big stars with surname ‘Ng’. Overall it doesn’t really give an impression, just like an insignificant accompaniment.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
华文智多星2011
3年前那富有争议性的语文游戏节目再度回来了！还记得当时我每个拜一晚上都会准时收看这个节目。一集也不漏。我的重点是放在题目，而不是参赛者的学校或国籍。
游戏规矩简单，分成5个回合。第一回合是写出单字，和中间的字组成词语。限时15秒。
蛮容易的。
这也不难。
这次须要找出一个字，能和周围的字组成词语。
我想到了，但不确定。没想到那就是正确答案。可惜没人答对。
不难，但就是想不出来。好烦。
第二回合，分辨别字。二选一。
懂得意思就不难。
犬或马，让你来决定。（第一个字好像繁体字...）
不用想太多。意思也差很大。
选择中没有‘晴’？！
第三回合，关于本土文化、知识的题目。本地人在这回合就起了作用了。
第三题的答案不是‘山龟’…
我只懂青菜，白菜…
这个我懂我懂！（最后那个字不是‘生’）
第四回合，我只挑出一些比较有趣的题目。
翻译题：
常用字，但通常用英语表达。如果没听过就不懂。尤其是‘paper clip’，不是‘纸夹’或那一类的。
不是解释意思，而是翻译成一个相应的华文成语或熟语。根‘因果’无关。并不难，只是一时想不起来。（提示：5个字）
长文缩短。一个四个字的成语就能了结。哈哈被我想到了… 可惜没一组想得出这个成语。
第五回合，成语大比拼。这是整个游戏中最激烈的回合，可是很难用图片来介绍。有兴趣的话就去收看节目。
---
第一集的题目：
有些字意思接近（甚至相同）。请三思后行。
我只懂那朵花的英文名叫‘frangipani’哈哈。它的华文名很好笑…
八个字。跟一只动物有关。
看了这个节目后，不知道应该为我的华文程度感到骄傲还是惭愧...
游戏规矩简单，分成5个回合。第一回合是写出单字，和中间的字组成词语。限时15秒。
蛮容易的。
这也不难。这次须要找出一个字，能和周围的字组成词语。
我想到了，但不确定。没想到那就是正确答案。可惜没人答对。
不难，但就是想不出来。好烦。第二回合，分辨别字。二选一。
懂得意思就不难。
犬或马，让你来决定。（第一个字好像繁体字...）
不用想太多。意思也差很大。
选择中没有‘晴’？！第三回合，关于本土文化、知识的题目。本地人在这回合就起了作用了。
第三题的答案不是‘山龟’…
我只懂青菜，白菜…
这个我懂我懂！（最后那个字不是‘生’）第四回合，我只挑出一些比较有趣的题目。
翻译题：
常用字，但通常用英语表达。如果没听过就不懂。尤其是‘paper clip’，不是‘纸夹’或那一类的。
不是解释意思，而是翻译成一个相应的华文成语或熟语。根‘因果’无关。并不难，只是一时想不起来。（提示：5个字）
长文缩短。一个四个字的成语就能了结。哈哈被我想到了… 可惜没一组想得出这个成语。
第五回合，成语大比拼。这是整个游戏中最激烈的回合，可是很难用图片来介绍。有兴趣的话就去收看节目。
---
第一集的题目：
有些字意思接近（甚至相同）。请三思后行。
我只懂那朵花的英文名叫‘frangipani’哈哈。它的华文名很好笑…
八个字。跟一只动物有关。
看了这个节目后，不知道应该为我的华文程度感到骄傲还是惭愧...
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Guess the Rabbit!
So busy that I don't even have time to post a simple entry...sigh. Report deadlines, mid terms, presentations all squeezed within this single week. Eagerly looking forward to the recess break. Then comes another round of 'busi-ness'.
Wanted to rant about school work but decided not to. It's no fun reading such stuff. Let's try something more fun - a game!
---
Got the idea from I-Weekly. Since it's the rabbit year, let's look at some famous fictional rabbits. Have you seen these rabbits before? Do you know their names? If not, do you know where they come from?
Ok, let's start with an easy one - Bugs Bunny from Looney Tunes. (Oops, I've revealed his name already!)
A) That was no-kick. How about this one?
B) I think this rabbit's character is similar to mine haha...
C) Here comes a cuter one. =)
D) Now for a classic, old-school illustration:
E) Thin eyes, Fat body (and head), what a lazy look...
F) *I can't talk! My lips are sealed!*
G) "My long ears won't prevent me from wearing a headdress."
H) "I won't die no matter how you torture me..."
I) That face just makes people want to whack it.
J) You might see them pretty often in MSN as emoticons.
K) "I'll keep going! Never give up!"
L) If you can't get this right, I dunno what else to say.
M) Doesn't look very distinctive but anyway just look at the posture.
Highlight to see the answers:
A) Lola Bunny from Looney Tunes. Bugs Bunny's girlfriend. First appearance in 'Space Jam' film.
B) Rabbit from Winnie the Pooh (what an uncreative name...)
C) Thumper from Bambi (try to find the adult version of Thumper!)
D) Peter Rabbit, character from various children books.
E) Mashimaro from Korea. Often appears as merchandise (like Hello Kitty)
F) Miffy from various children picture books.
G) My Melody by Sanrio, same company that created Hello Kitty.
H) Cuddles from Happy Tree Friends. (recall his visit to the dentist...)
I) Rabbid from Rayman Raving Rabbids. (the most hateful rabbit ever)
J) Tuzki from China. (can't help thinking about all those funny emoticons)
K) Duracell Bunny (there is also a Energizer Bunny, beating the drum)
L) White Rabbit Milk Sweet. (they have other flavors too!)
M) 'Hare' from The Tortoise and the Hare, an Aesop fable.
So, how many did you get correct?
Wanted to rant about school work but decided not to. It's no fun reading such stuff. Let's try something more fun - a game!
---
Got the idea from I-Weekly. Since it's the rabbit year, let's look at some famous fictional rabbits. Have you seen these rabbits before? Do you know their names? If not, do you know where they come from?
Ok, let's start with an easy one - Bugs Bunny from Looney Tunes. (Oops, I've revealed his name already!)
A) That was no-kick. How about this one?
B) I think this rabbit's character is similar to mine haha...
C) Here comes a cuter one. =)
D) Now for a classic, old-school illustration:
E) Thin eyes, Fat body (and head), what a lazy look...
F) *I can't talk! My lips are sealed!*
G) "My long ears won't prevent me from wearing a headdress."
H) "I won't die no matter how you torture me..."
I) That face just makes people want to whack it.
J) You might see them pretty often in MSN as emoticons.
K) "I'll keep going! Never give up!"
L) If you can't get this right, I dunno what else to say.
M) Doesn't look very distinctive but anyway just look at the posture.
Highlight to see the answers:
A) Lola Bunny from Looney Tunes. Bugs Bunny's girlfriend. First appearance in 'Space Jam' film.
B) Rabbit from Winnie the Pooh (what an uncreative name...)
C) Thumper from Bambi (try to find the adult version of Thumper!)
D) Peter Rabbit, character from various children books.
E) Mashimaro from Korea. Often appears as merchandise (like Hello Kitty)
F) Miffy from various children picture books.
G) My Melody by Sanrio, same company that created Hello Kitty.
H) Cuddles from Happy Tree Friends. (recall his visit to the dentist...)
I) Rabbid from Rayman Raving Rabbids. (the most hateful rabbit ever)
J) Tuzki from China. (can't help thinking about all those funny emoticons)
K) Duracell Bunny (there is also a Energizer Bunny, beating the drum)
L) White Rabbit Milk Sweet. (they have other flavors too!)
M) 'Hare' from The Tortoise and the Hare, an Aesop fable.
So, how many did you get correct?
Sunday, February 06, 2011
Cycle of Life
This is the second time I'm ushering my own Year of the Rabbit, which serves as a strong reminder how old I am. (as if I'm not keeping track of my own age every year haha)
It's quite amusing how some people utter 'Hey this year is my year!' without knowing that they have revealed their own age. Particularly applies to females who enjoy keeping their age a secret.
Ok, perhaps they know about it, but didn't expect others to infer so much from this little (but significant) information.
However, knowing which Animal Year a person is born in doesn't give absolute information. There is still a 'deduction' stage, although it's almost 100% certain. Thankfully the gap of 12 years is wide enough for an almost-certain deduction. If you're having doubts whether someone's age is, for example, 25 or 37, either that person must be really good in preserving his/her looks (or the other extreme), or there is something wrong with your judging ability.
Hmm how about distinguishing between 70 and 82? At that age I guess number doesn't really matter anymore.
Every time we usher our own Year, it marks a milestone in our life as we complete a zodiac cycle:
12 - Our puberty years. The transition from children to young adult (at least for ticket prices). Childhood memories probably stop here. The midpoint of our long education path. State of semi-autonomy.
24 - Education path almost ending or just ended. A big step towards the harsh working world. Peak of our youth. Peak of our physical capabilities (at least from IPPT charts). Big dreams, ambitions, hopes for the future. If you haven't picked up an instrument or a language by this age, you probably can't anymore.
36 - Pray that you've found a desired job for life. There is still very much to learn and accomplish in your work. Best to have kids by now (if you're married). If not married yet, best to get married by now (unless you plan to stay single forever). Juggling between career and family might still be a problem (obviously not for singles).
48 - Hopefully you're still hanging on to your job. Might get a little tired, sick of the mundane work, or disillusioned. However it has become a natural routine in your life, and furthermore you can't afford to quit. Hopefully you've accomplished most of what you wanted in life, be it career-wise, family-wise or personal goals. Embrace the reality of being uncles/aunties.
60 - At the final lap of 'suffering' at work. Few more years left before retirement. Ideal age to have grandchildren, while you have the energy to play with them. Do what you can before your body starts to fail you.
72 - Hope you're not struck by any illness. Poor habits and lifestyles adopted during your early years may 'reciprocate' and take a toll on your health. Probably the last cycle for some. If possible, fulfill your final wishes and try not to leave any regrets. Sit back and watch your offsprings develop. Live your remaining life well.
84 - Still living? Good for you if you're still healthy, able to walk with any aid. Bad for you if you're bedridden, or struggling with illnesses and diseases. Hope you haven't turned senile. (though many around you will think you are)
96 - Doesn't matter already. Can live until that age then say.
It's quite amusing how some people utter 'Hey this year is my year!' without knowing that they have revealed their own age. Particularly applies to females who enjoy keeping their age a secret.
Ok, perhaps they know about it, but didn't expect others to infer so much from this little (but significant) information.
However, knowing which Animal Year a person is born in doesn't give absolute information. There is still a 'deduction' stage, although it's almost 100% certain. Thankfully the gap of 12 years is wide enough for an almost-certain deduction. If you're having doubts whether someone's age is, for example, 25 or 37, either that person must be really good in preserving his/her looks (or the other extreme), or there is something wrong with your judging ability.
Hmm how about distinguishing between 70 and 82? At that age I guess number doesn't really matter anymore.
Every time we usher our own Year, it marks a milestone in our life as we complete a zodiac cycle:
12 - Our puberty years. The transition from children to young adult (at least for ticket prices). Childhood memories probably stop here. The midpoint of our long education path. State of semi-autonomy.
24 - Education path almost ending or just ended. A big step towards the harsh working world. Peak of our youth. Peak of our physical capabilities (at least from IPPT charts). Big dreams, ambitions, hopes for the future. If you haven't picked up an instrument or a language by this age, you probably can't anymore.
36 - Pray that you've found a desired job for life. There is still very much to learn and accomplish in your work. Best to have kids by now (if you're married). If not married yet, best to get married by now (unless you plan to stay single forever). Juggling between career and family might still be a problem (obviously not for singles).
48 - Hopefully you're still hanging on to your job. Might get a little tired, sick of the mundane work, or disillusioned. However it has become a natural routine in your life, and furthermore you can't afford to quit. Hopefully you've accomplished most of what you wanted in life, be it career-wise, family-wise or personal goals. Embrace the reality of being uncles/aunties.
60 - At the final lap of 'suffering' at work. Few more years left before retirement. Ideal age to have grandchildren, while you have the energy to play with them. Do what you can before your body starts to fail you.
72 - Hope you're not struck by any illness. Poor habits and lifestyles adopted during your early years may 'reciprocate' and take a toll on your health. Probably the last cycle for some. If possible, fulfill your final wishes and try not to leave any regrets. Sit back and watch your offsprings develop. Live your remaining life well.
84 - Still living? Good for you if you're still healthy, able to walk with any aid. Bad for you if you're bedridden, or struggling with illnesses and diseases. Hope you haven't turned senile. (though many around you will think you are)
96 - Doesn't matter already. Can live until that age then say.
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Diligluttony
I haven't fully retrieved and reorganized my lost files yet, but things are roughly back to normal. All the frustrating configurations and installations really consumed a lot of time, which I could have made use to finish up most residual work before CNY.
Hope to finish my part for two projects before I start visiting relatives tomorrow. That's why I've been quite hardworking these days haha. Probably going to burn the midnight oil again tonight.
The past few days have been pretty cold. On Monday I was freezing even after walking out of the LT, thanks to the breeze after the rain. Tried to walk faster to warm up my body, but it made the wind blow past faster too...blah.
Thanks to the rain too, I couldn't go for a jog or something before this sinful period starts. Was intending to exercise a bit before I turn into a glutton. Heck...we live to eat haha.
Why do people usually eat steamboat during CNY? I think it's because we can simply cook on the spot if we want to eat. This is convenient for homes with a lot of visitors/families coming at different times.
I don't usually get to eat steamboat during normal days anyway, so I don't mind getting sick of steamboat around this period.
Why are yusheng pieces so thin? After all the lao-ing, the pieces simply disappear. Well, they don't taste nice anyway. I would rather scavenge for the keropok.
Why is this entry so random? I just want to leave an imprint for this festive season. Happy CNY. =)
*Turns into a glutton*
Hope to finish my part for two projects before I start visiting relatives tomorrow. That's why I've been quite hardworking these days haha. Probably going to burn the midnight oil again tonight.
The past few days have been pretty cold. On Monday I was freezing even after walking out of the LT, thanks to the breeze after the rain. Tried to walk faster to warm up my body, but it made the wind blow past faster too...blah.
Thanks to the rain too, I couldn't go for a jog or something before this sinful period starts. Was intending to exercise a bit before I turn into a glutton. Heck...we live to eat haha.
Why do people usually eat steamboat during CNY? I think it's because we can simply cook on the spot if we want to eat. This is convenient for homes with a lot of visitors/families coming at different times.
I don't usually get to eat steamboat during normal days anyway, so I don't mind getting sick of steamboat around this period.
Why are yusheng pieces so thin? After all the lao-ing, the pieces simply disappear. Well, they don't taste nice anyway. I would rather scavenge for the keropok.
Why is this entry so random? I just want to leave an imprint for this festive season. Happy CNY. =)
*Turns into a glutton*
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