About Me

I have done a lot of things in my life and have also worked in many different jobs to make a living and to experience life. This blog is just some of my musings, sometimes funny, sometimes inspirational, sometimes sad, sometimes angry, sometimes simple but all the time, it's just me.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Zee or Zed

It's Boxing day, and I have reached pretty much my last themed blog of the month. If you still have not figured it out, you will with my blog post tomorrow.

Earlier in my relationship with my wife, we used to have such joy in having a simple picnic in the Zoo. Times have definitely changed.

After going to South Africa and being in an open zoo where the humans are in caged jeeps, I have now no desire nor wish to go to any zoo or traditional circus.

There is nothing like seeing a herd of elephants, zebras and animals in their natural habitat. Many would call it animals in the wild or wild animals.

In all honesty, I think we humans are the wild ones most of the times. There are definite exceptions and I hope I will become the exception.

I have always told everyone that South Africa has been the best place I've visited thus far and there are quite a number of places wifey and I have been too. In second place would come New Zealand.

The worst in the list remains Egypt. But I am digressing. The 26th alphabet, Z, how do you pronounce it? Zee or Zed? Let me tell you another little story.

My parents hail from India.

My dad has been in Malaysia since he was 17, he is now 76, so 59 years. I think we will celebrate his 77th birthday and his 60 years in Malaysia next year, God willing.

My dad came from a smaller town and as he always used to tease my mom, he is also less educated than my mom.

My mom also comes from a small town that has now become quite a sizable city in Gujarat.

As I was growing up, I realised that my mom, never having studied in English, could not pronounce the letter Z or F.

I am used to pronouncing Z as Zee rather than Zed and F like eff.

But in the real Gujarati language, the traditional Gujarati language, Z and F do not exist.

But my mom came to Malaysia and made do and learned street Malay and English.

Curious now, how did she pronounce Z and F?

Well Z would be Jh, so Zoo was Jhoo, Zebra was Jhebra, Zip was Jhip.

It was funny at times but we got used to it as did many neighbours and friends.

And F was Ph, so Phish, Phan, Phunny. Of course my mom never in life said Phuck or go phuck yourself.

Of course, as things modernise, most Gujarati's now can say Z and F clearly but my mom and her generation were a different breed of people.

Life was phun and we often had the jhaniest of time.

Mom passed a long time ago, there is no sadness anymore, just the happy memories that will always remain.

Take care and be well.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Merry Christmas, Nil. Have enjoyed your description of the alphabets :)
Looking forward to your Thirty Day Journey next month. God bless.

nages said...

Dear Nil,

Thank you for the wonderful story. My parents came to Malaya with no English skills and learned something they called Malay. Till today when I speak to my mum, the fridge is "eis peti" and my dad's meagre pension which mum collects from TNB is "penjhin".

Happy New Year to you and Sarah,

Nages

nages said...

Dear Nil,

Thank you for the wonderful story. My parents came to Malaya with no English skills and learned something they called Malay. Till today when I speak to my mum, the fridge is "eis peti" and my dad's meagre pension which mum collects from TNB is "penjhin".

Happy New Year to you and Sarah,

Nages