Monday, 31 March 2014
Wednesday, 27 November 2013
OH MY WORDS!!!
Common Errors in English Usage!!! The definition of errors can be very complicated and controversial,
hence I will not elaborate on this technical term. Rather, I am more
concerned with some usual deviations from the standard use of English,
especially by ESL students. In this part, we’re looking at the errors in word
usage.
ADVANCE vs. ADVANCED
When you hear about something in advance, you get notice or information ahead of time. Advance also means to move forward or to make progress. Advance can also function as adjective, as in the case of “an advance payment”, which means payment made ahead of time/before hand.
When you say something is advanced, it means “complex or sophisticated” and should not be confused with the past tense form of “advance”.
Note: We often see advertisements use “Advance Level”, which should be “Advanced Level”.
ALPHABET
A, B and C are called letters of the alphabet, NOT alphabets. Alphabet is a character set that includes letters and is used to write a language.
AWHILE vs. A WHILE
When “awhile” is spelled as a single word, it is an adverb meaning “for a time” (“stay awhile”); but when “while” is the object of a prepositional phrase, like “Lend me your monkey wrench for a while” the “while” must be separated from the “a.” (But if the preposition “for” were lacking in this sentence, “awhile” could be used in this way: “Lend me your monkey wrench awhile.”)
BACKUP vs. BACK UP
To “back up” is an activity; “back up your computer regularly”; “back up the truck to the garden plot and unload the compost.”
A “backup” is a thing: “keep your backup copies in a safe place.” Other examples: a traffic backup, sewage backup, backup plan, backup forces.
COMPLEMENT vs. COMPLIMENT
Most of the time the word people intend is “compliment”: nice things said about someone or praise.
Complement, on the other hands, means supplement each other or making something complete.
e.g. vs. i.e.
“e.g.” is the short form for exempli gratia, and means “for example”. “i.e.” is the short form for id est, and means “that is”. Use “e.g.” when you want to give an example (or several examples) of something just mentioned. Use “i.e.” when you wish to explain briefly or to clarify what you just said, or say the same thing in other words.
ADVANCE vs. ADVANCED
When you hear about something in advance, you get notice or information ahead of time. Advance also means to move forward or to make progress. Advance can also function as adjective, as in the case of “an advance payment”, which means payment made ahead of time/before hand.
When you say something is advanced, it means “complex or sophisticated” and should not be confused with the past tense form of “advance”.
Note: We often see advertisements use “Advance Level”, which should be “Advanced Level”.
ALPHABET
A, B and C are called letters of the alphabet, NOT alphabets. Alphabet is a character set that includes letters and is used to write a language.
AWHILE vs. A WHILE
When “awhile” is spelled as a single word, it is an adverb meaning “for a time” (“stay awhile”); but when “while” is the object of a prepositional phrase, like “Lend me your monkey wrench for a while” the “while” must be separated from the “a.” (But if the preposition “for” were lacking in this sentence, “awhile” could be used in this way: “Lend me your monkey wrench awhile.”)
BACKUP vs. BACK UP
To “back up” is an activity; “back up your computer regularly”; “back up the truck to the garden plot and unload the compost.”
A “backup” is a thing: “keep your backup copies in a safe place.” Other examples: a traffic backup, sewage backup, backup plan, backup forces.
COMPLEMENT vs. COMPLIMENT
Most of the time the word people intend is “compliment”: nice things said about someone or praise.
Complement, on the other hands, means supplement each other or making something complete.
e.g. vs. i.e.
“e.g.” is the short form for exempli gratia, and means “for example”. “i.e.” is the short form for id est, and means “that is”. Use “e.g.” when you want to give an example (or several examples) of something just mentioned. Use “i.e.” when you wish to explain briefly or to clarify what you just said, or say the same thing in other words.
Mexico Hat for tea anyone???
FYI, we used to eat this and most of us know it as 'Kuih Penyaram' in Malay. In English, it is known as MEXICO HAT...
JAMBU AIR IN ENGLISH???
Most Malaysians know that JAMBU BATU is Guava in English. But how many of us know JAMBU AIR in English???
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THIS FRUIT IS CALLED THE ROSE APPLE, OR WAS KNOWN IN THE U.S. MARKET AS CHAMPOO, REFERRED TO AS THE MOST INTERESTING EXOTIC FRUITS IN THE WORLD.
In English, this fruit is called the Rose Apple, or was known in the U.S. market as champoo, referred to as the most interesting exotic fruits in the world. According to the tongue of the Caucasians, this fruit has the smell and taste like roses. The fruit is hard to come by in Europe and America because of rapid deterioration. It is also known as wax apple, Water apple, bell fruit, water cherry, watery rose apple.
Have you ever wonder the name of certain Malaysian fruits and food found in English???
You might be wondering the name of this fruit in English???
This is 'buah salak', scientifically known as salacca zalacca, or SNAKESKIN FRUIT in English. It’s a fruit native to Malaysia and Indonesia, closely resembling the size and shape of a fig…but — as its name suggests — with a skin like that of a snake.
Don’t be scared of its reptile-like outer covering. Just break off the top portion of the fruit and the skin will tear apart quite easily, revealing the garlic-like cloves inside.
Sunday, 13 October 2013
Are Still Playing Your Flute: Form 5 Poem
Are You Still Playing Flute?
The Original Version of the Poem (Malay Version)
Masihkah Kau Bermain Seruling oleh Zurinah Hassan
Masihkah kau bermain seruling
walau waktu telah terlewat untuk kita bercinta
aku semakin terasa bersalah
melayani godaan irama
lagu yang tersimpan pada lorong halus buluh
dikeluarkan oleh nafas seniman
diukir oleh bibir
diatur oleh jari
dilayangkan oleh alun angin
menolak ke dasar rasa.
Masihkah kau bermain seruling
ketika kampung semakin sunyi
sawah telah uzur
waktu jadi terlalu mahal
untuk memerhatikan hujan turun
merenung jalur senja
mengutip manik embun
menghidu harum bunga.
Masihkah kau bermain seruling
ketika aku terasa mata bersalah
untuk melayani rasa rindu padamu
di kota yang semakin kusut dan tenat
adik-adikku menganggur dan sakit jiwa
bangsaku dipecahkan oleh politik
saudara diserang bom-bom ganas
dunia sudah terlalu tua dan parah.
Di sinilah berakhirnya percintaan kita
kerana zaman sedang menuntut para seniman
hidup di luar dirinya.
BIODATA OF ZURINAH HASSAN
Date / Place of birth : 13 June 1949, Alor Setar Kedah.
Permanent address : No.2, Jalan Pinggir, 8/1L, Seksyen 8, 40000 Shah Alam since 1974.
Academic Qualifications : B.A.Hons (Universiti Sains Malaysia), M.A. (Universiti Putra Malaysia). Doktor Falsafah, Akademi Pengajian Melayu, Universiti Malaya.
Awards :
Anugerah Penulisan Asia Tenggara (S.E.A. Write Award) 2004
Book Category Award
i- Pujangga Tidak Bernama, Hadiah Sastera Perdana(1994/1995)
ii- Memoir Zurinah Hassan Menjejak Puisi, Hadiah Buku Perpustakaan Negara 2002/2004)
iii- Memoir Zurinah Hassan Menjejak Puisi , Hadiah Sastera Perdana 2002/2003.
Are You Still Playing Your Flute? by Zurinah Hassan (English Version)
Are you still playing your flute?
When there is hardly time for our love
I am feeling guilty
To be longing for your song
The melody concealed in the slim hollow of the bamboo
Uncovered by the breath of an artist
Composed by his fingers
Blown by the wind
To the depth of my heart.
Are you still playing your flute?
In the village so quiet and deserted
Amidst the sick rice fields
While here it has become a luxury
To spend time watching the rain
Gazing at the evening rays
Collecting dew drops
Or enjoying the fragrance of flowers.
Are you still playing your flute?
The more it disturbs my conscience
to be thinking of you
in the hazard of you
my younger brothers unemployed and desperate
my people disunited by politics
my friend slaughtered mercilessly
this world is too old and bleeding.
You can view the poet’s opinion regarding her own poem http://
SYNOPSIS:
This poem his about a persona who reminisces the time he/she spends when in a village. There are many things that are now luxury to her such as listening to the melody of the flute itself, gazing at the evening rays, collecting dew drops, or enjoying the fragrance of flowers. The village is now deserted as many have moved to the city. Now that she has moved on with her life, she wonders whether the flutist is still playing the flute. This is because, there are many challenges in the world today such as the world is dying, the unemployment issue and the people are disunited because of different political views.
THEMES:
Family commitments
Priorities in life
Neglect of one’s duties
MORAL VALUES:
We should be aware of our family commitments and carry them out properly.
Everyone has priorities in, life and we should know what is important and what is not.
Following a hobby is good but there is a time for work and a time for play.
POINT OF VIEW:
The poem is the first point of view.
The person is addressing another person and describing a situation to him.
LANGUAGE AND STYLE:
Rhetorical question
Descriptive and questioning
Simple style and no rhyme
TONE, MOOD AND ATMOSPHERE:
Sombre and regretful
Serious atmosphere
POETIC DEVICES:
Imagery – e.g. ‘blown by the wind’, ‘depth of my heart’
Alliteration – e.g. ‘fragrance of flowers’
Symbol – e.g. ‘flute’, ‘song’
Repetition – e.g. ‘Are you still playing your flute?’
Figurative Language – Metaphor e.g. ‘The melody concealed in the slime hollow of bamboo – Personification e.g. ‘sick rice field’
The Original Version of the Poem (Malay Version)
Masihkah Kau Bermain Seruling oleh Zurinah Hassan
Masihkah kau bermain seruling
walau waktu telah terlewat untuk kita bercinta
aku semakin terasa bersalah
melayani godaan irama
lagu yang tersimpan pada lorong halus buluh
dikeluarkan oleh nafas seniman
diukir oleh bibir
diatur oleh jari
dilayangkan oleh alun angin
menolak ke dasar rasa.
Masihkah kau bermain seruling
ketika kampung semakin sunyi
sawah telah uzur
waktu jadi terlalu mahal
untuk memerhatikan hujan turun
merenung jalur senja
mengutip manik embun
menghidu harum bunga.
Masihkah kau bermain seruling
ketika aku terasa mata bersalah
untuk melayani rasa rindu padamu
di kota yang semakin kusut dan tenat
adik-adikku menganggur dan sakit jiwa
bangsaku dipecahkan oleh politik
saudara diserang bom-bom ganas
dunia sudah terlalu tua dan parah.
Di sinilah berakhirnya percintaan kita
kerana zaman sedang menuntut para seniman
hidup di luar dirinya.
BIODATA OF ZURINAH HASSAN
Date / Place of birth : 13 June 1949, Alor Setar Kedah.
Permanent address : No.2, Jalan Pinggir, 8/1L, Seksyen 8, 40000 Shah Alam since 1974.
Academic Qualifications : B.A.Hons (Universiti Sains Malaysia), M.A. (Universiti Putra Malaysia). Doktor Falsafah, Akademi Pengajian Melayu, Universiti Malaya.
Awards :
Anugerah Penulisan Asia Tenggara (S.E.A. Write Award) 2004
Book Category Award
i- Pujangga Tidak Bernama, Hadiah Sastera Perdana(1994/1995)
ii- Memoir Zurinah Hassan Menjejak Puisi, Hadiah Buku Perpustakaan Negara 2002/2004)
iii- Memoir Zurinah Hassan Menjejak Puisi , Hadiah Sastera Perdana 2002/2003.
Are You Still Playing Your Flute? by Zurinah Hassan (English Version)
Are you still playing your flute?
When there is hardly time for our love
I am feeling guilty
To be longing for your song
The melody concealed in the slim hollow of the bamboo
Uncovered by the breath of an artist
Composed by his fingers
Blown by the wind
To the depth of my heart.
Are you still playing your flute?
In the village so quiet and deserted
Amidst the sick rice fields
While here it has become a luxury
To spend time watching the rain
Gazing at the evening rays
Collecting dew drops
Or enjoying the fragrance of flowers.
Are you still playing your flute?
The more it disturbs my conscience
to be thinking of you
in the hazard of you
my younger brothers unemployed and desperate
my people disunited by politics
my friend slaughtered mercilessly
this world is too old and bleeding.
You can view the poet’s opinion regarding her own poem http://
SYNOPSIS:
This poem his about a persona who reminisces the time he/she spends when in a village. There are many things that are now luxury to her such as listening to the melody of the flute itself, gazing at the evening rays, collecting dew drops, or enjoying the fragrance of flowers. The village is now deserted as many have moved to the city. Now that she has moved on with her life, she wonders whether the flutist is still playing the flute. This is because, there are many challenges in the world today such as the world is dying, the unemployment issue and the people are disunited because of different political views.
THEMES:
Family commitments
Priorities in life
Neglect of one’s duties
MORAL VALUES:
We should be aware of our family commitments and carry them out properly.
Everyone has priorities in, life and we should know what is important and what is not.
Following a hobby is good but there is a time for work and a time for play.
POINT OF VIEW:
The poem is the first point of view.
The person is addressing another person and describing a situation to him.
LANGUAGE AND STYLE:
Rhetorical question
Descriptive and questioning
Simple style and no rhyme
TONE, MOOD AND ATMOSPHERE:
Sombre and regretful
Serious atmosphere
POETIC DEVICES:
Imagery – e.g. ‘blown by the wind’, ‘depth of my heart’
Alliteration – e.g. ‘fragrance of flowers’
Symbol – e.g. ‘flute’, ‘song’
Repetition – e.g. ‘Are you still playing your flute?’
Figurative Language – Metaphor e.g. ‘The melody concealed in the slime hollow of bamboo – Personification e.g. ‘sick rice field’
Friday, 11 October 2013
English In Camp: Post PMR 2013
On Friday, 11th October 2013 our Post-PMR programme started of with English In Camp by the English Panel. The activities were facilitated by the Form 3 English teachers Mdm Nursyazrina, Mdm Grace and me...:). Of course not forgotten our technician Hj Aliusin and another teacher, a young gentleman Mr. Elvis.
The activities were:
1. Action Song
i. The Chicken Dance
ii. You Are Beautiful
2. Singing Together
3. NIE: Searching The Paper
Activity 1: Action Song
Activity 2: Singing Together
Activity 2: NIE (Searching The Paper)
The activities were:
1. Action Song
i. The Chicken Dance
ii. You Are Beautiful
2. Singing Together
3. NIE: Searching The Paper
Activity 1: Action Song
Activity 2: Singing Together
Activity 2: NIE (Searching The Paper)
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| Mdm Nursyazrina, Mr. Elvis and I with the group that won the NIE activity: Searching The Paper
I will miss this moment and teaching life if I get my SISC+. My students are my soul besides my family. The passion is still burning and keeps on burning because of these angelic being....:)
The Chicken Dance Song and Steps
Just Dance: One Direction-You are beautiful
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