tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61363335221887872512024-03-13T01:32:26.960-07:00Strive in ChaosLive is NEVER Boring!!! We only make it boringEugene WCWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06644160577586336929noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136333522188787251.post-9286319840490280142014-01-09T22:41:00.001-08:002014-01-09T22:41:37.625-08:005 1/2 YEARS!Sigh, finally, I got the will, energy and time to carry on with my blog. Will just update with recent things then, so that I can list down my thoughts and keep track of my life :)<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Recently I went back to Melaka for the holidays which is very easy to remember. (School holidays). Anyway, whenever anyone asks me : "You studying is it?"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Then I'll answer with a smile: "Yes". Followed by their curious face and a reply: "Oh, where?" To which I'll reply: "In Ipoh!". And most probably I'll get an answer like, "Oh, that's very far." "Where in Ipoh?" Then I'll simply reply, "Well, a place not really that famous; Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Ipoh."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Some will be looking in the sky as if the answers lie in the clouds or ceiling or even in their memories. However, they'll most probably say, "Hmm..." Then I'll continue to explain saying "You know the Lost World of Tambun?"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Yes! Yes!" Then I'll say, "Just nearby there" Then they'll say "ooohh...."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Then it comes...... "How long have you studied there?"</div>
<div>
"3 years and a half."</div>
<div>
"Oh, that means you're going to end soon?"</div>
<div>
Then I'll say, "Well, if 2 more years is soon then..... yeah, I'll end soon."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
They'll do a little mental calculation and ask with a gobsmacked face, "5 and a half years? Just for teaching?" Then I'll coolly reply saying that it is a degree course and that these days the minimum requirement for being a teacher is a degree. Then we'll be considered professionals in our field.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
All in all, yea.... this teaching course is a really long one and due to its ups and downs, these 5 and a half years can be excruciating and slow. There are of course times when I feel like time flies and I end up enjoying the things I do and slowly think about the future and what/where I would see myself in the future. Sigh, there are many things that dwells in this noggin of mine, however, I'm a man of not a few words and I'd prefer to talk about it. So, basically, I do not have the patience to carry on typing. Nonetheless, I will always keep the sweetest of memories near to my heart and the worst as far away as possible because in life, one must strive in chaos :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yesterday was one of those times where I would love to remember. My Class Early-Year Lunch. A few pictures will I put together...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nj6fDSBxtwEqd34zzMsgO7e3Z66S8D_7JwtQcuI79wq_gV8_Un2i9TpTs-TreBJjvjNgO81Cc2-4lB6QRFM8Lofqgg9CPYNe7tbTvaV2Wa5Uv41Lxq055TywG3lWyZMBNjvBggb9YJo/s1600/20140109_160542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nj6fDSBxtwEqd34zzMsgO7e3Z66S8D_7JwtQcuI79wq_gV8_Un2i9TpTs-TreBJjvjNgO81Cc2-4lB6QRFM8Lofqgg9CPYNe7tbTvaV2Wa5Uv41Lxq055TywG3lWyZMBNjvBggb9YJo/s1600/20140109_160542.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is only half of my class though</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZ46A1O_TCrT7Axc4s_y7b02fJzgEdH3wJw7pa8zwss8okqIgX11NQtuKHwhahneGGVpGPZNAnSDuoBg0FLWEyaoqxgLm35-GmJ3F72UQNLoSqKAPbcUB8O5SwQxUVxp3fWzT5tRuY0w/s1600/20140109_160628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZ46A1O_TCrT7Axc4s_y7b02fJzgEdH3wJw7pa8zwss8okqIgX11NQtuKHwhahneGGVpGPZNAnSDuoBg0FLWEyaoqxgLm35-GmJ3F72UQNLoSqKAPbcUB8O5SwQxUVxp3fWzT5tRuY0w/s1600/20140109_160628.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
the other half who were not indulging in the food section</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5iBkUpGFN4w_zZAV7fTsmbAH7mjF1oRwr2jM-ECWPI5Gv73xLHqCmYwWJt02cg8YoVc2uHwLBGhPwTDgeK_ADIP7p6GnixWT71qLHQ9B2vNugIWY1vD8EicIccXrIiniJomaqcBjzEk/s1600/20140109_161420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5iBkUpGFN4w_zZAV7fTsmbAH7mjF1oRwr2jM-ECWPI5Gv73xLHqCmYwWJt02cg8YoVc2uHwLBGhPwTDgeK_ADIP7p6GnixWT71qLHQ9B2vNugIWY1vD8EicIccXrIiniJomaqcBjzEk/s1600/20140109_161420.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Well, first-world stuff.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4JW4IWVrszSlmz2hw2d5UD-MwS_mfz6bDLV60JL5FLbX7XnQS8QoW2HiLCDoLMoEY9XSUZOSuqP8I5yyHwhnh2N1hToN6Yh6upIW5GVk669Sd6Q5RHKoCB-lHP6QZ2_FhuI1WmyBGtk/s1600/20140109_161605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4JW4IWVrszSlmz2hw2d5UD-MwS_mfz6bDLV60JL5FLbX7XnQS8QoW2HiLCDoLMoEY9XSUZOSuqP8I5yyHwhnh2N1hToN6Yh6upIW5GVk669Sd6Q5RHKoCB-lHP6QZ2_FhuI1WmyBGtk/s1600/20140109_161605.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We are who we are</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWdrLpGcuiNGNH_TEFNjNbmWYlTjCPNeDaR2AeLvY8N5GXcuYCO5rH_m9mRrAZDoAI9RsX136DxAuYoemhRvpIrNu8TzBK5ZXPt8V7XYfUnM7ejD07husrloIRsgcQpt9XP6tz16muwA/s1600/20140109_161716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWdrLpGcuiNGNH_TEFNjNbmWYlTjCPNeDaR2AeLvY8N5GXcuYCO5rH_m9mRrAZDoAI9RsX136DxAuYoemhRvpIrNu8TzBK5ZXPt8V7XYfUnM7ejD07husrloIRsgcQpt9XP6tz16muwA/s1600/20140109_161716.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFzC2126lLsj4SIvmKFF5bNNDPZ2S40XMV9aIbE0u7nI__-QRa-yXyeJ_6DSdUuTfgj2_RfMjdX4nIhUkVCR6DNKvloiFlN2qfx5zNojOUJLoQIaxLGld_VthHGNxQpy6MCZe564mUe4/s1600/20140109_161736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFzC2126lLsj4SIvmKFF5bNNDPZ2S40XMV9aIbE0u7nI__-QRa-yXyeJ_6DSdUuTfgj2_RfMjdX4nIhUkVCR6DNKvloiFlN2qfx5zNojOUJLoQIaxLGld_VthHGNxQpy6MCZe564mUe4/s1600/20140109_161736.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gbXyT5fT7U0P5GOhTqMY1-W52b0_Sxy_N3302V9DCuO-hhiciHl2JcU-PcJ9YxDKxVh9DsP-vlYKBPitjJEtM-RBjDwwLv7G9isDo96-ETA9VD2Gq7JcbsLuainBxutLitgTdkuXIbQ/s1600/20140109_161846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gbXyT5fT7U0P5GOhTqMY1-W52b0_Sxy_N3302V9DCuO-hhiciHl2JcU-PcJ9YxDKxVh9DsP-vlYKBPitjJEtM-RBjDwwLv7G9isDo96-ETA9VD2Gq7JcbsLuainBxutLitgTdkuXIbQ/s1600/20140109_161846.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I told them before the shot, "muka tengah berak!" (Passing motion face)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4I0b74AWB8oEzDXZX7qE3ENor86a8e1YP3Mauge16-alIYRQ8YaeEUV9YZWw02yPrimDq-5-d_5uUsI308IJljbZ5QyXQAtXOclk4p7VhLVRNKpLLy-9Iu60pRu_2RPtfNwIrKEZiVU/s1600/20140109_161927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4I0b74AWB8oEzDXZX7qE3ENor86a8e1YP3Mauge16-alIYRQ8YaeEUV9YZWw02yPrimDq-5-d_5uUsI308IJljbZ5QyXQAtXOclk4p7VhLVRNKpLLy-9Iu60pRu_2RPtfNwIrKEZiVU/s1600/20140109_161927.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
our current class rep</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well, hopefully we'll continue on as a strong class together in times of hardship and turmoil.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Til the next time,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
English-teacher-to-be,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Eugene WCW</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Eugene WCWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06644160577586336929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136333522188787251.post-64979290105328126182012-08-14T06:15:00.003-07:002012-08-14T06:15:38.488-07:00Unprofessional Boom!<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;">The ecstasy in fire manipulation,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;">leads one to think;</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;">of the stupidity in an explosion,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;">will of course push to the brink,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;">the poor surrounding relation.</span>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBH5U18oParZ-0A3F0KXit8Hql7VaNM3-C8vkJx1t8CB19q0xq9bVpNhghR1C2BQ4ZP4anwF5pADpKkXXzxJt3lJwHx1SgsBBkqHrkKGJW2Q2ZL_njr5EfNFivbtrMywgkrh-DysPvA6c/s1600/ketupat+bomb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBH5U18oParZ-0A3F0KXit8Hql7VaNM3-C8vkJx1t8CB19q0xq9bVpNhghR1C2BQ4ZP4anwF5pADpKkXXzxJt3lJwHx1SgsBBkqHrkKGJW2Q2ZL_njr5EfNFivbtrMywgkrh-DysPvA6c/s1600/ketupat+bomb.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;"><span id="goog_481090862"></span><span id="goog_481090863"></span><br /></span>Eugene WCWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06644160577586336929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136333522188787251.post-13440694260661691032012-04-09T23:49:00.004-07:002020-04-03T02:58:56.528-07:00Some problems in pronunciation ^^ (Malaysia)<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: center;">
<u><b><i>This might be boring but if you're interested, just read XD an assignment that i did that resulted in my own satisfaction</i></b></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: justify;">
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
<b><u>Topic 3 / Question 2<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
<u>Non-native speakers of English (NNS) often have problems with pronunciation. Discuss the problem areas and suggest ways to overcome these problems identified. Provide relevant examples to illustrate your answer.<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
The English Language is internationally known as the global language whereby its influence has reached to every corner of the earth. Currently, it is obvious that through Western hegemony, the influence of the English language is now commonly used for international matters in the field of economy and trade, human rights and entertainment as well. Having strong influences have resulted in the English Language being compulsory subjects in schools like in Malaysia. Malaysia is one of the countries where the English Language has left its mark through past colonisation and current entertainment which makes Malaysians as non-native speakers of the English Language thus giving birth to Malaysian English. The official Malaysian English is slightly phonologically varied but internationally intelligible. Being non-native speakers (NNS) of the English Language, many often have problems with the pronunciation of certain words. These problems have sprouted due to the majority of Malaysians preferring the unofficial Malaysian English where it is more varied than the official Malaysian English making it sound accented and different from the Received Pronunciation that Malaysians learn in schools. Three problem areas of this issue will be discussed. They are namely problems of segmentals, suprasegmentals and the mesolectally practiced pronunciation by the majority. Further into the discussion, there will be suggested ways in overcoming these problems identified through education and application.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
The first problem area of non-native speakers in the English language is basically the phonological feature of segmentals. In Malaysian English, “there is a general tendency to reduce contoidal clusters to one or two elements less than necessary in Malaysian English” <w:sdt citation="t" id="853991673"><span lang="EN-US">(Baskaran, 2005)</span></w:sdt>. This means there are reductions in grouping of contoids with the Malaysian English (ME) compared to the Received Pronunciation (RP) e.g.:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
<b>Reduction from three to two phonemes:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent: -18pt;">
-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span>Glimpse /gl<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 150%;">ɪ</span>mps/ pronounced as /gl<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 150%;">ɪms</span>/.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
<b>Reduction from two to one phoneme:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="font-weight: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Always /<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 150%;">ɔ:lweɪs</span>/ pronounced as /<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 150%;">ɔ:weɪs</span>/.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
These problems are mostly due to the simplification of pronunciation in everyday conversation and also that there are no contoidal clusters within the mother tongue language of certain ethnicities in Malaysia. Another result of this practice of simplification in pronunciation of the English Language is the devoicing of voiced fricatives. Some examples are based between two phonemes like /v/ and /f/, /z/ and /s/, and /<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ʒ</span>/ and /<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ʃ</span>/.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
<b>Examples:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>move /mu:v/ pronounced as /mu:f/<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-weight: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>is /<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 150%;">ɪz</span>/ is pronounced as /<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 150%;">ɪs</span>/<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>usual /ju<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ʒ</span>u<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ə</span>l/ pronounced as /ju<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ʃ</span>u<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ə</span>l/<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
The problem areas are due to the subtle differences in pronunciation as it is very slightly easier to pronounce than the original. The words do not undergo semantic change but nonetheless, when pronounced, the obvious accent is there. Many of the simplification of these words are also due to the non-existent phonemes within the language of the mother tongue for the non-native speakers of the English language. In other words, many contoids are new to the Malaysian English speaker and due to this, the unfamiliar phonemes are approximated to the nearest similar sound in accordance to the user’s ethnic language system.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
e.g. For the <b>Malay Malaysian</b> English speaker’s approximants<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>/f/ would be approximated as /p/, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
as fan /f<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">æ</span>n/ would be pronounced as /p<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">æ</span>n/.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
For the <b>Chinese Malaysian</b> English speaker’s approximants<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>/r/ as /l/, as ready /red<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ɪ</span>/ would be pronounced as /le<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">dɪ</span>/.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>/z/ as /d<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ʒ</span>/, as zebra /z<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ɪ</span>br<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ə</span>/ would be pronounced as /d<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ʒɪbra:</span>/<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
For the <b>Tamil Malaysian</b> English speaker’s approximants<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>/v/ as /w/, as never /nev<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ə</span>/ pronounced as /new<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ə</span>/<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Deletion of /h/ like house /h<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ʌʊ</span>s/ pronounced as /<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ʌʊs</span>/<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
The other problem area of NNS would be the suprasegmentals or more specifically, the stress positions in pronouncing. If an English word has a primary stress on the first syllable, it is common to hear a NNS stressing on the other syllable instead. This is similar to even in polysyllabic words.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
e.g. exercise /’eks<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ə</span>s<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ʌɪ</span>z/ stressed as /eks<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ə’</span>s<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ʌɪ</span>z/<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
In addition, the Malaysian English speaker (NNS) “tends to confuse the stress positions that differentiate homophonous words that have varying morphemic functions.”<w:sdt citation="t" id="-130398495"><span lang="EN-US"> (Baskaran, 2005)</span></w:sdt> Stress has the ability to differentiate a certain English morpheme that can be nouns, verbs or adjectives.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
e.g. <b>Received Pronunciation<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-collapse: collapse; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> <tbody>
<tr> <td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
Noun<o:p></o:p></div>
</td> <td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.1pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
Verb<o:p></o:p></div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Digest /’d<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">ʌɪdʒ</span>est/<o:p></o:p></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.1pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
/d<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">ʌɪ’dʒ</span>est/<o:p></o:p></div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Import /’<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">ɪ</span>mp<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">ɔ:</span>t/<o:p></o:p></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.1pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
/<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">ɪ</span>m’p<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">ɔ:</span>t/<o:p></o:p></div>
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
Permit /’p<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">ə</span>:m<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">ɪ</span>t/<o:p></o:p></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.1pt;" valign="top" width="308"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
/p<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">ə</span>:’m<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">ɪ</span>t/<o:p></o:p></div>
</td> </tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
Due to this differentiation, NNS often get mixed up in the stress positions and they eventually pronounce the incorrect form of word within a sentence without noticing it. A native speaker of the English Language however would notice this and find it weird that the NNS pronounces as if meaning something else.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
The third area problem would be the mesolectally practiced pronunciation by the majority. This means that the style of pronunciation of a certain word by NNS have been carried on from generation to generation, even though incorrect. It is that the majority of Malaysians, more towards the users of the unofficial Malaysian English at the mesolectal level, pronounces a certain word by assumption, the rest follows. Some of these assumptions are based on the confusion with the prior knowledge of a different spelling and pronouncing system, specifically the Malay Language, as it is the main language of Malaysia. Another factor that contributes to the practice of incorrect pronunciation of English words is the lack of knowledge on the Received Pronunciation. In experiencing that the majority pronounces a certain word as they do, the younger generation assumes that that is the correct pronunciation without further investigations.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
e.g.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Privacy /pr<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ɪ</span>v<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ə</span>s<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ɪ</span>/ is assumed to be /pr<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ʌɪ</span>v<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ə</span>s<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ɪ</span>/<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Salmon /s<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">æ</span>m<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ə</span>n/ is assumed to be /s<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">æ</span>lm<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ə</span>n/ or /s<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ʌ</span>lm<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ə</span>n/<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Tortoise /t<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ɔ:</span>t<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ə</span>s/ is assumed to be /t<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ɔ:</span>t<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ɪ</span>s/ or /t<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ɔ:</span>t<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ɔ:ɪ</span>s/<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
However, to curb with these problems in pronunciation for the NNS of the English Language in Malaysia, English teachers are of paramount importance when it comes to educating the students. Three suggestions that can be used for educating NNS are through language drilling, classroom activities and listening activities.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
Language drilling can be administered to beginner learners of English. Firstly, choral drilling where the teacher models the word, phrase or sentence using clear pronunciation for the whole class to repeat. The teacher is to correct any unclear pronunciations and provide sufficient repetition and visual support using the whiteboard. As the drilling progresses, the teacher is able to go to the next level by half-class drilling whereby a form of dialogue will happen between the two halves of the class. By pronouncing in unison, students will be able to listen to the pronunciation of the majority and will follow. Teachers should correct any inaccurateness in pronunciation. Then, the teacher can proceed to row-to-row drilling after the students have been used to the drilling exercise. This is suitable for mini dialogues where the first row reads a question and the next row reads the answer. When the pronunciation of the whole class is rather satisfactory, teachers can then administer chain drilling where the teacher instructs two individual students to stand and dialogue based on a text and the teacher is to give support and encouragement and correct any errors in pronunciation where necessary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
Classroom activities should be engaging and simple for students to truly understand and feel confident in application. One classroom activity that meets these criteria is hearing and saying differences between vowels and between consonants or in other words, minimal pair activity. Through comparison between two words which have different meaning but only one sound changed, can break it down to the extent where students can properly differentiate and understand the difference between the minimal pairs. The activity is simple as the students are required only to identify whether the two words are different or same by marking ‘D’ or ‘S’ respectively. This activity also helps student distinguish between:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
e.g. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
<b>Vowels <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>short and long vowels like /<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ɪ</span>/ versus /i:/, (bid / bead)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>/<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">eɪ</span>/ versus /<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">æ</span>/, (rain / ran)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>/e/ versus /<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ɒ</span>/, (step / stop)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>/<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ʌ</span>/ versus /<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">əʊ</span>/, (nut / note)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
<b>Consonants<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>/b/ versus /d/, (brown / drown)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>/<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">θ</span>/ versus /s/, (thank / sank)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>/<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">tʃ</span>/ versus /<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 150%;">ʃ</span>/, (cheat / sheet)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -18pt;">
-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>/p/ versus /f/, (four / pour)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
Through this simple activity, NNS that have problems in those areas will slowly realise their mistakes and improve. The main focus of minimal pairs is the ability to “discriminate between sounds”<w:sdt citation="t" id="1060209236"><span lang="EN-US"> (Hewings, 2004)</span></w:sdt><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
The last suggestion would be educating NNS through the method of listening activities. The main method of exposing students to spoken English is through the use of taped material which can range from “topics of advertisements, news broadcasts, poetry reading, plays, English songs with lyrics, speeches, telephone conversations and all manner of spoken language”<w:sdt citation="t" id="-281350700"><span lang="EN-US"> (Harmer, 1998)</span></w:sdt>. The second main reason for teaching listening to NNS for pronunciation improvement purposes is because through listening, students would subconsciously acquire the language and its special features. By understanding and experiencing the correct form of pronunciation, NNS should be able to apply whatever that has been heard during this activity. As students listen, students should be given questions in order to respond to the content of listening. Question like, ‘Do you agree?’, ‘What did the man say to express happiness?’ etc. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
In conclusion, Non-Native Speakers of the English Language that have problems in pronunciation can be educated and corrected through classroom activities which will provide a clear picture for NNS to distinguish, differentiate, and also understand the mistakes that they made. After repetition and practice, NNS would be able to master the pronunciation and apply them in everyday conversation with confidence and fluency. Pronunciation is more important than grammar when it comes to understanding someone. Therefore, pronunciation should be well-taught and NNS of English in Malaysia, would have no problems in pronunciation and able to differentiate between the Received Pronunciation and Malaysian English pronunciation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" /> </span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
<b>References<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<w:sdt docparttype="Bibliographies" docpartunique="t" id="703678740" sdtdocpart="t" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;"> </w:sdt><br />
<h1>
<span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-MY; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;"><w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr></span></h1>
<w:sdt bibliography="t" id="111145805"> </w:sdt><br />
<div class="MsoBibliography" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Baskaran, L. M. (2005). Malaysian English - The Preamble. In L. M. Baskaran, <i>A Malaysian English Primer</i> (pp. 17-37). Kuala Lumpur: University of Malaya Press.<o:p></o:p></span><w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr></div>
<div class="MsoBibliography" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Harmer, J. (1998). How To Teach Listening. In J. Harmer, <i>How to Teach English</i> (pp. 97-100). Edinburgh Gate: Addison Wesley Longman Limited.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBibliography" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; text-indent: -36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Hewings, M. (2004). Sounds: Vowels, consonants and consonant clusters. In M. Hewings, <i>Pronunciation Practice Activities</i> (pp. 51-52). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal;">
</div>
<w:sdt docparttype="Bibliographies" docpartunique="t" id="703678740" sdtdocpart="t" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><w:sdt bibliography="t" id="111145805"> </w:sdt></w:sdt>Eugene WCWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06644160577586336929noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136333522188787251.post-72769858570385257732012-03-20T23:16:00.004-07:002012-03-20T23:47:00.195-07:00Bridge of Life<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bsWKZ0fm_nHMLylAJlsS3Vdn9ASDHtEwhJc_RpKf6Li9RWVoLbJEAGv9KLb8hxJdOh7NeG87WmYSjwS9oOgHUm5Di8FosRQQPE86kn266tCFjUEKdnyNZV2dUAYlX3jDuwnD45SCYN0/s1600/bridge+of+life.jpg" style="font-weight: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bsWKZ0fm_nHMLylAJlsS3Vdn9ASDHtEwhJc_RpKf6Li9RWVoLbJEAGv9KLb8hxJdOh7NeG87WmYSjwS9oOgHUm5Di8FosRQQPE86kn266tCFjUEKdnyNZV2dUAYlX3jDuwnD45SCYN0/s320/bridge+of+life.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722237440922312962" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 100%; ">Bridge of Life</b></div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Hold fast to dreams,</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Cling on like it's the essence of life;</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Without it, life is without sight;</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Without it, life is without goals;</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Without it, life is without meaning;</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">And without Him, life is without life.</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">In this long journey, we all need one another;</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Who else if not for our friend.</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Bridges are built in life together,</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">What good is a bridge been put to an end?</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">A bridge formed just for joy not to cease;</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">A bridge formed just for brotherhood;</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">A bridge formed just for lasting peace;</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Why destroy a bridge God made good?</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">BM:</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Jambatan Hidup</b></div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Genggam kuat pada cita-cita,</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">umpama genggam kuat pada nyawa,</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Kerana tanpanya, hidup seperti buta;</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Kerana tanpanya, hidup tak ke mana-mana;</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Kerana tanpanya, hidup tak bermakna;</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Dan jikalau tanpa-Nya, hidup tak bernyawa.</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Perjalanan hidup perlukan bantuan;</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Apa lagi sekiranya tidak dari kawan;</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">hidup selalu kita bina jambatan,</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Apa guna jambatan yang dimusnahkan?</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Jambatan yang wujud hanya untuk kedamaian,</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Jambatan yang wujud hanya untuk hubungan,</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Jambatan yang wujud hanya untuk kesejahteraan;</div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Apa guna musnahkan jambatan ciptaan Tuhan?</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Eugene Wong Chen Wei</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div>Eugene WCWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06644160577586336929noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136333522188787251.post-22489596764677844952011-06-14T21:03:00.000-07:002011-06-14T21:24:22.371-07:00Honey Lemon Juice of Life<div><br /></div><div>second after second,</div><div>minute after minute,</div><div>hour after hour,</div><div>day after day,</div><div>five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes in a year,</div>Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow,<div>Creeps in a petty pace from day to day,</div><div>Isn't that long?</div><div>WAIT!!!</div><div>Hold On!!!</div><div>Tired of waiting?</div><div>Life's like that,</div><div>ups and downs throughout existence</div><div><br /></div><div>All of our yesterdays have lighted fools,</div><div>if we believe that way.</div><div>the way to dusty death,</div><div>would mean a beginning of eternal life,</div><div>when you have simple optimism and determination to live a life worth living for God;</div><div><br /></div><div>Life's like a brief candle,</div><div>When the wind tries to blow you out,</div><div>friends are there to cover for you,</div><div>When the wax is finishing,</div><div>family and friends are always there to replace new wax.</div><div><br /></div><div>When life gives you Lemons!!!</div><div>You make lemon juice!!!</div><div>Don't throw away the lemons,</div><div>Optimism is just like honey,</div><div>sweet as it sugar-coats most things,</div><div>not so much though,</div><div>we don't want diabetes now XD</div><div><br /></div><div>When everything is down,</div><div>you look up,</div><div>hope is frail;</div><div>but it's hard to kill.</div><div><br /></div><div>Knowledge is power but with great power comes great responsibilities,</div><div>Ignorance is bliss but very dangerous.</div><div><br /></div><div>Life's like that;</div><div>If your lemon juice is sour and hard to swallow,</div><div>add some honey and life will be just nice.</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7ZiX_2OnCBVgEd4eyDPvXjoteGXG5J83W9wtnXL9wK9PzBvUDQpRGYkxVRNAr1h20MdpRWRrdvPlsT_OcVM5hYJ2CZjG2rfwlE7YLfccpXeOLYz1kRYbMFoymAk_LfJogkaj80sffk4/s320/lemon+honey+juice.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 192px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618297255273817906" /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Eugene WCWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06644160577586336929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136333522188787251.post-27491362871552579772011-01-21T05:18:00.000-08:002011-01-21T05:59:48.150-08:00Music The Heard Manifestation of FeelingsWow, I totally forgot about blogs and anything to do with it..<div><br /></div><div>Now after two years full of experiences and joy, I (without writing it down in my blog) return!!</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll start slow and no rushing... I'd like to talk about music and all that it is.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>"M</span>usic washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life"</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- Berthold Auerbech</div><div><br /></div><div>Music is one of the best things created by God. When our day is mounted with work, anxiety, stress and unnecessary burden, music at the end of the day (be it singing, hearing to songs or just playing an instrument) eases the mind and keeps us sane. Music will definitely refresh us.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>You want to hear me out, you want to know my feelings? Well, music is what feelings really sound like and you will be able to understand how I feel and others too through song.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>"Music happens to be an art form that transcends language"</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- Herbie Hancock</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>English, Mandarin, Malay, Indian, Bidayuh, Iban, Kadazan, Dusun and every other language...... all becomes one through music. There won't be any barriers or failures as music is a language itself that unites people all over the world.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>"Music can change the world as it can change people"</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- Bono</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Music in any way is very influential. Even if you hear a disliked song many times again and again, you will tend to like it. Music is often used for spreading good wil, love, faith, hope and grace through songs and musical dramas/movies. Music speaks by herself and inspires.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>"The pause is as important as a note."</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- Truman Fisher</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>In a chaotic and fast life, because of technology and development that we live in, we often forget to spend time to ourselves and with God. Even silence can be as beautiful as another calming song after a day of rustle and bustle. Like I said, music can keep you sane XD</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The sound of silence will make us appreciate the beauty and art that music has to offer and it will allow our ears to be more attuned to the sound of music.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Let's not get confused with music and noise, music is actually a well-composed arrangements of balanced frequencies to produce a controlled tune, whereas noise is just chaotic and messy production of frequencies. In other words, noise is like an annoying woman screaming at you over trifles :)</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>"There is nothing in the world so much like prayer as music is."</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- William P Merrill</div><div>Music, if well-composed and in order will sound tremendously beautiful. This also shows that the Creator of music should be well-composed and in order. God is tremendously beautiful. When different sounds come together in that orderly manner, a symphony of wonders gives life!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>We can thank the Creator of music through music. Music was created for His glory. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Israelites were instructed to "play music before God with all their might, with singing, on harps, n stringed instruments, on tambourines, on cymbals and with trumpets"</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>(1 Chronicles 13:8)</div><div>We can sing our love to God instead of just saying it.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Music gives life to our words as they are another manifestation of our feelings</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >So let us "sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; talk of His wondrous works!" (1 Chronicles 16:9)</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 14px; "><form rel="async" class="commentable_item hidden_add_comment collapsed_comments" method="post" id="feedback_form_120223308051577" action="http://www.facebook.com/ajax/groups/mall/ufi.php" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "></form></span>Eugene WCWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06644160577586336929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136333522188787251.post-60077583345899644112009-05-12T09:03:00.000-07:002009-05-12T09:38:31.489-07:00ARSE ( A Random Act of Stupidity Exists)SIGH...... I'm not used to this blog thing, I hope I can keep it updated as best as I can.<br /><br />I Eugene Wong, is known to have a tendency to convert everything into a joke. According to my friend Lee Yee Chang. You can see in one of his latest posts on -isms. fishdumplingtastesgood.blogspot.com.<br /><br />To keep my blog a little more active, here are some random stuffs of stupidity, fatitity, and lardicious things. A Random Act of Stupidity Exists<br /><br />1.<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> <span style="font-size:130%;">Kok Siu is the most random shit that I have ever laid eyes upon. Just imagine..... a hall, a group of people showed up for a drama practice. noise..... started with whispers, chitter-chatter, more noise..... there was a female teacher in their midst, trying to utter a word but to no avail. Kok Siu felt pity or just a surge of stupidity rushed through his mind. He stood up walk towards the middle of the hall's stage and took a deep breath. I was sitting at a corner witnessing this deed of pure idiocy.... He summoned a voice so loud that it shook even the teacher that was trying to convey a message. OOOIII!!!!! SHADDAAP LLAAH!!!!!</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >As if a thousand manly banshees were shouting at once. He got everybody's attention in the hall. Everybody stared at him and for a few seconds, he did something that untill today kept me smiling at random intervals. He quickly arranged his hair by stroking his hair in arrogance from the front through the parting of his hair until the back..... and just turned and approached his seat. The entire hall was laughing . I was literally tearing because of that. These are the things that needs to be seen to believe.</span><br /><br />2. <span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Have you ever seen a man driving a car while he is engaged on the phone? many I believe... How about SMS-ing? I believe u have.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Now picture this, riding a bicycle while on the phone is dangerous...... It is from the pure act of stupidity that will make a cyclist to ride a bike and SMS at the same time!!!! Who in the right mind would do such a thing? especially in Melaka Raya where the roads are busy!!!!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">This miraculously happened to my blessed friend Noel martin Smith!!!!!! SMS-ing his girlfriend and stupidly rammed the back of a car. The moment Noel opened his eyes after the impact, he was on the back screen of the car, the phone in one hand and the ENTIRE car BUMPER on the other, the odds of that happening is so rare man!!!! SIGH....... He was laughing the next day.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Here's a joke..... Do you know that a fish................................ CAN'T DRINK WATER?!!! hahaha</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I'll keep updated more. this is just to fill up place.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Untill then</span></span>Eugene WCWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06644160577586336929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6136333522188787251.post-55099158840114485352009-04-22T07:20:00.000-07:002010-09-21T07:32:21.148-07:00In Accordance To "Server Not Found" 's Post On The Night To Remember<span style="font-family: 'lucida grande'; font-size: 100%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >On the same date, 3rd April was a day for me and many many others to remember.</span></span><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span class="Apple-style-span" > At least the ones involved in the Franciscan Night. It was the first </span></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" >grand night that we as Franciscans had. The rehearsals were again and again and I as one of the emcees, should know the tiring hustle and bustle of the preparations.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" >On that day, it was a Friday, everybody was anxious of the night that was prepared with literally sweat and blood!! Nobody could concentrate on the blabbering words that were spat out by our teachers for the first few periods or at least that was what I experienced. I don't know about any one else's feelings that much but for me, the night was passing through my eyes and I could imagine all the mishaps that could possibly happen during the auspicious event.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" >The final rehearsal started at 9.30 like Jonah has written. Within the extra time for us to rest before the night, also like Jonah wrote, we went to celebrate Joshua's birthday.......... We wanted to go to Seoul Garden but under some redundant and greedy reasons, we ate at Nando's. The food there was not bad but the extra hot sauce was not that extra hot. However their recipes for the so called extra spicy sauce was nothing but chillies and herbs that were so sour and it was not good for the voice I whispered in my mind. Then I foolishly ate the damn thing not knowing that it will effect my voice so intensely!!!!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" >Later I went home for merely one hour to get ready for THE NIGHT, so early? Its because of some last minute rubbish that ended up in laughter and joy.... sound check and all those stuff. As the Emcee, I had to be everywhere, interview everyone, do research, be at every rehearsal, be as funny as possible all the time (that wasn't so hard though...hehe....) and try to compromise and socialise with everything.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" >Actually, I didn't had much rest in fact. Then the impossible happened, I started to loose my precious, marvellous, sweet, slender, gracious, melodious, barratonic,...................(takes in deep breath).......... voice. I was devastated. I tried not to talk unecessarilly but I had to talk still because everythin was impotent.. I mean important...</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" >The night started with some slides shown to the audiencu while waitng for the hall to fill up. When I sat down at the emcee's corner, I glanced at the pictures in my well-fitted, maroonish blue blazer. I sat there looking at the pictures and so many memories and flashbacks were clear, it almost made me tear to think that within my school life, I have done so much... For me, at certain times I feel that I'm still not doing enough.. dunno why??</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" >I am still wondering why the Emcees weren't mentioned in the post that Jonah made.... forgot? Issue? Hatred? Grudge? Vendetta? who noes.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" >Jameson started the night, applause was unexpected to be that vigorous and loud nt to mention screechy. My mother, the Headmisstress of SK Bandar Hilir was unfortunately sitting in the crowd getting very little enjoyment as she said that the boys and girls were going to the toilet passing by through their seats too many times. She also said the girls especially were quite histerical like if a girl starts screamin the rest follows and if one starts punching, all will join in...... sigh. no offense girls but my mother was offended, she even scolded some girls sayin " Kamu datang nak tengok Jantan ke, Tengok Concert?"</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" >Anyway, the band, then the drums, kompang...... instrumental three of our school. Simply musical. Then Jameson and I were up to introduce the choir and as well join in the choir too... we had to do a lot just to do that scene... lol. The girls were literally ecstatis about the choir. Not blowin my trumpet but the audience believe it or not only said that I could sing. When I started my solo, the girls that i knew siad: " is that eugene?", other girl, 'what eugene?", " there our eugene, eugene wong.", " really?!?", "oh dear, he can really sing!"............ This really happened though.................</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" >The band told me that they wanted their own individual performance, so they did. For things to clear up, the Emcees introduced themselves. Two emcees or............. who's the ther one? Oh, yes.... Andre...(monotonously) woohoo............. Then Bollywood dancers, not easy immitating them in a formal blazer and slacks.... phew... luckily no tearing.......Martial artists next..... According to my friends that sat right at the back, the only thing that they could hear were murmuring. The best thing were the Indian martial arts with the red circle with chains....... spinning and spinning. that was what they enjoyed most. sorry Jonah, not the taekwando "dance".....</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" >Rhythemic Gymnists, (cough) not rhy(cough)themic at(cough) all(cough).... Elvis Presly, then the shuffling which Jameson tried to do... haha..... I too didn't get the shuffling, its like practisng to kill all cockroaches in the house. doncha think so?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" >The Drama was highlighted by Rose, the leading (cough) actress!! He... I mean SHE was prettier than any other girl there litterally....... untill the crowd heard the voice, it was a spoiler... sigh....hehe</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" >KAYAF, then the line dancing.... Mr. Ong was specially gracefull and swift at the foot.. Mr. ONG, You RULE!!!! literally...XD</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" >You Raise Me Up, sign Language Dance was great... the night really eased the hearts of many... sigh.. what a night, I followed Jonah to the eating meet and the streets were deserted with no cars as the night was about to end, we were singing like drunktards on the road and arguing with each other at the top of our voices, hhahaha... its times like that that really brings life to whatever we do... Pictures of the after Franciscan night photos some are on facebook, find lar...</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /><br /></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" >A Good way to show the wonders of the British English, I say..... As you were my fellow readers.... Franciscan night rocks....for us lah!!!</span></span><br /></span></span>Eugene WCWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06644160577586336929noreply@blogger.com1