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Sunday, February 13, 2005
Gil: Words, words, words...
By Sandy Gil
Sunday Dunes
The redundancy of the phrase "Look at now!" grated the depths of my jaded adult soul. Look at now??? What did she mean? Finally, after a bit of soul searching, I discovered that "Look at now!" was the literal translation of tingnan mo ngayon!
I WAS recently invited to judge an extemporaneous speaking competition among high school students here in Davao City. The event was well attended and it was such a delight to hear the crowds of youth cheer for their favorites! It is such a relief to know that unlike other urban city centers, the youth of this blooming city continues to be actively involved in and enthusiastic about these educational activities.
But then, alas, the English... One particular contestant was so into what she was talking about, comparing the past to the present, perpetually repeating the phrase "Look at now!" with vigor, awesome energy and conviction. I was enthralled by such youthful passion. But the redundancy of the phrase "Look at now!" grated the depths of my jaded adult soul. Look at now??? What did she mean? Finally, after a bit of soul searching, I discovered that "Look at now!" was the literal translation of tingnan mo ngayon!
It occurred to me that if she had said, "Now look at!" it would have also translated into ngayon, tingnan mo!
* * * * *
Another young male contestant had another way of using the word "look". Talking about how the youth today dress up, he pointed at his feet and said, "Look on my shoes!" Then he continued pointing at other parts of his attire, saying, "Look on my socks, look on my shirt" and so on. I tried hard to look on my own shoes, instead of looking at them. It was the most confusing and uncertain experience in my life, at least for that moment. But no one can say I did not try...
* * * * *
This judging event had made some well-kept memories of my past eight years in Davao come rushing back to me, unabated. I was introduced to the hostile use of some English words in situations that would otherwise seem like mundane daily occurrences.
I learned that when one makes a mistake in filling up an application form, one need not cross out the mistake. Instead, one must crash it out. Rather violent but the result is the same, I guess.
Eight in the morning and five in the afternoon during weekdays when traffic in the city attempts to compete with that of Manila's is not called rush hour. It is called crash hour. Another subliminal vicious tendency.
The violence attendant to the word "crash" however takes on an extremely opposite significance when I overhear youthful gossip among the young, discussing who has a "crash" on whom. Crash then can take on the more positive mode of helplessly falling in love.
* * * * *
I once had the occasion of hitching a ride in an old car of a friend. Unfortunately, one of the tires of the car got tired, and decided to act its age and blow out air. In short, my friend had a flat tire. Fortunately, however, this happened near a small dingy vulcanizing shop. And I learned that when one has a tire pumped with air, the English word "vulcanized" is translated into a new, cute and ticklish word bulkit, like a sewing kit--only this one is for the bulls.
Sad to say, however, the tire was too pockmarked with holes and the bulkiter (my word for the man who bulkits the tire) told my friend that he would have to buy a new tire. A second-hand one would perhaps match the age of the car. My friend had no choice. In an attempt to sympathize with my friend, I asked him what he would do with the old tire. He said that he would "safety" the old tire. Safety???
As far I was then concerned, safety was a word that described pins, as in safety pins. Through the years, I have heard a cashier announce that she will "safety" some cash for the day; a technician state that he will "safety" some equipment; and so on. By deduction, I discovered that the adjective "safety" had been transmogrified into a verb meaning to keep, perhaps hide--but not necessarily from harm. So much for safety.
* * * * *
The most recent phenomenon however is the integration of conjugated English verbs into the local language. Have you met so-and-so, I once asked a colleague at work. And she proudly answered, "Oo, na-met ko na siya!" More recently, I had asked another friend if he was able to catch a particular flight for a meeting in Manila. He replied, "Yup, na-caught ko ang flight." Hmmm...
I thought I knew the English language, but look at now!
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here.
(February 13, 2005 issue)
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