Hey guys, how ya doin? I'm guessing TERRIBLE! Cause that's how I'm feeling with an assignment due tomorrow (which I have not yet started on) and a test tomorrow (which I have not yet studied for)!! But just to get your minds off assignments and mid-semester exams, a FUN post for everyone!!

People of all ages, gender and sizes.. **Especially those of you who have not been in touch with your "Malaysian roots". Oh, especially especially those of you who are of a different nation and have tons of Malaysian friends around you all the time. And not to forget those who would just like to learn more about how Malaysians speak, which can be very interesting.** Come join me as I, Pakcik Win [Uncle Win(Win - short for Erwin *duh*)] , rattle on about the "Malaysia Accent".

So, starting with a very common expression Malaysia is famous for - "lah" (sometimes also pronounced as "la" or "lar") ! Now the origins of the suffix "lah" is unknown as most races in Malaysia do use lah frequently. Therefore, whether it originated from the local Malays or from the Chinese or even perhaps the Indians, we cannot be entirely certain.

So then how are we supposed to use "lah" ?

"lah" is usually used at the end of a sentence BUT NOT EVERY SINGLE SENTENCE (Which would only irritate every other Malaysian if you kept on repeating it.. Not to forget, you then fail miserably as trying to become Malaysian.. That time, I would say that "You are dumb! You are loser! (http://www.jokaroo.com/ecards/funny/areyoudumb.html)".

So then let me repeat myself, "lah" is to be used at the end of a sentence.
eg. "My laptop crashed lah."

Now, there are many context to using "lah" as well.
1) Begging
eg. "Please lah! I beg of you.. Let me go lah!!"
"Please give me one dollar lah!!"

2) Expressing anger
eg. "Don't lah! If you touch me once more I will kick your balls!"

3) Finger pointing
eg. "Not my fault lah!! You ask Lawrence lah!"

4) Explaining a situation
eg. "I called to say I love you lah. Why else would I call you for?"

Now, sometimes "lah" can also be used in the middle of the sentences (though rarely).
eg. "Don't lah like that. If you continue crying, I will not buy you lollipops!"
"What lah you?!? Why you never tell me you have an exam tomorrow?"

Well, that's it for now.. Hope you guys enjoyed your lesson. Pakcik Win signing out.

Oh yes, by the way, I have prepared some questions for you guys to practice. Do have a try! Till another time, enjoy yourself learning the Malaysian slang!

Exercise 1
Answer 'True' or 'False' for the usage of the suffix 'lah' below.

a) "Hey, I know you lah? I used to come over to your place for dinner!" *winks*
b) "That book is mine lah. Give it back!"
c) "Oh my goodness lah! You won the bid on ebay for that bag you wanted!"
d) "My phone spoilt lah.. That's why I could not give you a call."
e) "That fella lah! He banged into me and I dropped my phone. $%^&*Curse cursE)(&^%@"

Answers shall be posted in the second lesson of Malaysia Accent.