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skyscraper-lined streets in the balmy seek refuge, thinking that surely I will sets in as I learn that the guest speaker
April heat, I feel confident that I have be protected on such sacred ground. I – a retired professor of linguistics –
chosen the perfect location. A sense scan my surroundings and relax a bit is on board to lecture on the languages
of calm passes over me as I hear the when I am confident that there is not a and cultures of each port of call.
natives speak in perfect English – multilingual sign in sight. However, as I might as well have hired a dealer to
despite pepperings of phrases like I close my eyes, I hear a faint melody. follow me onto the ship. Things are
“stylo” instead of “stylish,” and “ya lah” Curiosity piqued, I head into the main not looking good.
instead of “oh yeah.” Suddenly, my ears chamber only to realize that my ears
perk up at an alluring sound – that of an have zeroed into the chanting of Pali, an MuLTiLinguaL MaLaySia
unknown language. I stop walking, my ancient liturgical language.
The first port of call finds me in
heart pumping with anticipation. Then, Desperate to stay linguistically
Malaysia. As soon as I set foot on land,
before I have a chance to listen closely sober, I head to the harbor and board
I experience flashbacks of my former
to identify the mystery tongue, I realize the nearest cruise ship, handing over
flatmate from Kuala Lumpur teaching
that I am standing in front of the next three weeks of my life to the
me random phrases in Malay, the most
a sign with four separate languages. cruise director. Surely while at sea,
commonly spoken language here. I try
Tamil and Malay sit alongside Chinese I will have an easier time staying away
to remain strong and block terms like
and English, beckoning for me to come from my drug of choice. I shut myself
“kawan” (“friend”) and “tiada masalha”
forth and partake. into my stateroom, determined to avoid
(“no problem”) from coming back
Determined not to give in, I duck languages at all costs. But, as I turn
to haunt me. Desperate to focus on
into the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple to on the ship’s television channel, fear
something else,
avantoure
|
homo ludens
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