Welcome to Hokkien... Hokkien... Hokkien
I was born, bred and probably die in Penang where Hokkien is the predominant Chinese dialet spoken. Penang Hokkien is quite different from the Hokkien spoken in the rest of Malaysia, Singapore and China in that it is sing-song in nature and contains quite a number of Malay words.
Being born a Hokkien would probably make you assume that I am very proficient in Hokkien. Believe it or not, English is my native language in that I think, dream and have nightmares in English ! I only realise that I hardly speak any Hokkien when in the early 1980's my "Jee Tneoh" i.e husband to my Mum's 2nd Sister asked why I reply in English when he asks me in Hokkien !
This blog basically documents what and how I am teaching Hokkien to my 2 daughters living with me i.e Kimster and Kister who are both studying in a Chinese School after 3 years in an English Pre-school.
Hi there,
ReplyDeleteI am just as anxious as you in preserving Penang Hokkien. For that purpose, I have created lessons to teach people. There is a dictionary where you can hear how Penang Hokkien is spoken, a grammar section, and a Facebook Group.
May I encourage you to learn the spelling system I have created for Penang Hokkien? It will help standardize how we write to each other.
All this you can find at http://www.penang-traveltips.com/penang-hokkien.htm
Thank you and kam1siah3 lu4 ce3 ce3!
I am already a contributor in that FB group :-)
ReplyDeletehow to say "you understand hokkien"
ReplyDeleteHi David
ReplyDeleteWah Beng Paik Hokkien.
Wah Eay Hiow Kong Hokkien (I can speak Hokkien)
Hi CCH, how do we pronounce me. Wa or wah? is it different or just a little slang/?
ReplyDeleteKamsia
Audio is a necessity for proper learning, also if possible use of the words in a sentence.
ReplyDelete