Malaysians of Melbourne University MoMU: Malaysia Accent Lesson 3 - "eh"

Malaysia Accent Lesson 3 - "eh"

Friday, May 12, 2006

Let me first post the answers to Exercise 2.
a) True
b) False, "ar" is just not necessary in this case - “I know that dog ! The stripes.. It is Scooby's dog!” *scratches head*
c) False, "ar" should instead be replaced with "lah" as we have learnt before - “I hate my lecturer lah! He smells like cow dung all the time!!”
d) False, once again, "ar" is just not necessary - “I bought my car from him. It is still quite new although it is fifty eight years old.”
e) True

Alright.. Now that the answers are done we shall go on with our very third lesson! Today's lesson shall be a simple one. Today we shall be learning how to use "eh"!

Now "eh" is a fairly simple term used when you want to call someone. It is used in front of the sentence. It could be a question or a statement as it is used when addressing someone.
eg. "Eh, do you want to go have lunch?" "Eh, your car damn nice!"

Sometimes though, Malaysians speak so fast that two "eh"s is mentioned. However, the most common reason two "eh"s is used is because you have not yet engage the other person or group's attention.
eg. "Eh eh, where are you guys going?" "Eh eh, you all finished your homework already ar?"

Other than addressing people, "eh" can be used when one is surprised and thus asked a question or pose a statement.
eg. "Eh? Why you skipped your lecture?" "Eh? I thought you said that you wanted to go for lecture. What are you doing here?"

So then next time you see someone you know just "Eh" them. I'm pretty sure that you would get their attention. However if that fails, that would just mean that that person is not Malaysian. So, do not come up to me and complain that it failed when you "Eh" a local Australian! Yes, do not "Eh? Why he/she did not answer me?" then "Stupid Pakcik Win!!"..

:P I shall not post any questions for this lesson as it is fairly simple to use. *Pakcik Win is also lazy!*