Language discourtesy leaves sour taste

Clivebenss SG

I WAS invited by a calligraphist friend to the Singapore Life Art Society Art Exhibition held at the Mica Building in Hill Street last week.

I was impressed by the number of up and coming artists in Singapore and was even happier to note that many people had turned up for the exhibition.

But I left the event with a heavy heart.

Besides the exhibition, there was a presentation by the Chinese team who are headed for the SNBA Salon in France next month. The guest of honour was Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Lim Swee Say.

There were a number of French people, tourists and myself in the audience who could not understand Mandarin. Sadly, none of the speeches was made in English. There was not even an attempt to translate or summarise the Mandarin versions.

The ones who did not understand the language had to stand there smiling and clapping - not understanding anything that was said.

I wonder why basic courtesy was forgotten, especially when we are a nation focused on finding unity in diversity.

Devagi Sanmugam (Ms)

the Bear SG

BS... it's a Chinese calligraphy thing...

this is as insane as going to a talk on Shakespeare and complaining they conduct it in English

whatever happened to this stupid woman respecting the culture of others to be done in the language of origin?

^Acid^ aka s|aO^eH~ SG

just imagine shakespeare's on hokkien~

the Bear SG

just imagine shakespeare's on hokkien~

eh... Lo mee oh ah, Lo mee oh.. li teh di dao, Lo mee oh..
mai li ah peh, mai diao li eh mia..
li ah si mai cho wa eh ai lang
lim peh zu mai kio ka-pu-lek liao

TYING SG

eh... Lo mee oh ah, Lo mee oh.. li teh di dao, Lo mee oh..
mai li ah peh, mai diao li eh mia..
li ah si mai cho wa eh ai lang
lim peh zu mai kio ka-pu-lek liao

BWAHAHAHAHA!!

^Acid^ aka s|aO^eH~ SG

eh... Lo mee oh ah, Lo mee oh.. li teh di dao, Lo mee oh..
mai li ah peh, mai diao li eh mia..
li ah si mai cho wa eh ai lang
lim peh zu mai kio ka-pu-lek liao

Clivebenss SG

Jiani SG

I WAS invited by a calligraphist friend to the Singapore Life Art Society Art Exhibition held at the Mica Building in Hill Street last week.

I was impressed by the number of up and coming artists in Singapore and was even happier to note that many people had turned up for the exhibition.

But I left the event with a heavy heart.

The ones who did not understand the language had to stand there smiling and clapping - not understanding anything that was said.

I wonder why basic courtesy was forgotten, especially when we are a nation focused on finding unity in diversity.

Devagi Sanmugam (Ms)

sigh.

hasene SG

Oh that is great "consideration" by our FIRST WORLD, FIRST CLASS MINISTER.

Million dollar paid minister cannot expresss himself well in English hence use Mandarin to expect foreigners to understand him without translation?

What a laughing stock! Where is the old man lee, did he not comment on this?

Chester_Lim SG

Than this stupid women expect there to be a english and french intrepreator there ah?

BanguIzai SG

eh... Lo mee oh ah, Lo mee oh.. li teh di dao, Lo mee oh..
mai li ah peh, mai diao li eh mia..
li ah si mai cho wa eh ai lang
lim peh zu mai kio ka-pu-lek liao

wat is ka-pu-lek ?

the words and phrases which i dun understand are:

"teh di dao", "ah peh = ?" , "diao" , "ka-pu-lek"

Veggie Bao SG

I am actually more concerned and genuinely pertrubed by the seemingly partisan ST Forum, who seems to have a certain agenda against a certain culture.

Junyang700 SG

Aiyah! It was a Chinese team from China invited to make the presentation. Of course use Mandarin!

Anyway, its ART and there are no language barriers. One can interpret among themselves without guessing! =)

russiabear SG

one of those BYOT(ranslator) events.

TYING SG

wat is ka-pu-lek ?

the words and phrases which i dun understand are:

"teh di dao", "ah peh = ?" , "diao" , "ka-pu-lek"

I help you. . . Though might not be entirely correct cos some words i not sure either.

eh... Lo mee oh ah, Lo mee oh.. li teh di dao, Lo mee oh..
mai li ah peh, mai diao li eh mia..
li ah si mai cho wa eh ai lang
lim peh zu mai kio ka-pu-lek liao

English version:

eh... Romeo ah, Romeo. . Where are you, Romeo

Don't leave uncle (me), don't hang your life ( i dont know too)

You rather die than be my lover

My father (i) also dont want be Capulet liao

MissZ SG

It IS good manners to at least have some translation. Maybe not of all, but at least some of the activities&/or speech.

Not to mention we are supposed to be a cosmopolitan city;we should expect that people of other races/cultures might be attending. It also seems to be a pretty big event what with the Minister attending & all that.

Even an RC event will have some translation &/or an English MC.

GoldChampagne SG

Isnt english an international language? Even if they are China presenters they must also be considerate and not only accomodate to the majority only.