Saturday, October 07, 2006 2:49 AM
A classic incident
Two chinese tourists approached two girls for direction along a road. One of the girls Tried to speak in chinese that can be of understandable level to the tourists cuz she hardly speak in full complete sentences in singapore (often they are rojak-ed), except when in China. One of the direction was to cross the traffic light to get to opposite side of the road. The girl giving direction stumbled with her chinese for a while and hesitated while trying to translate traffic light in her mind. Frantically the correct translation couldnt find its way to her mind and out came "青红火" (literally = green red fire) while pointing the direction to cross oppposite. Anyway the tourists' destination was pretty far from their then location and so it was kinda hard to exactly direct them. Eventually, the tourists indicated that they will asked for directions again if they are lost. Hence, the conversation came to an end. However, this toopid girl marked her name in Chinese language history after the conversation. Her friends joked about it cuz the correct translation of traffic light is 交通灯 and not the 青红火that she gave. Having lame friends around, the direct translation of "green red fire" amused everyone! To think that the other pweety lady together with the toopid lady during the conversation can still be impressed with 青红火 translation, thinking that China trips harnessed chinese language. Now you dun see the direct correlation, but the inverse relationship. Joke of the night! Laughter for everyone, some good deed somehow. From now on, this girl became the 青红火 girl. Maid mustn't learn the wrong chinese. Lesson of the night: Fire = Amber; Frequent visits to China doesn't = purrfat chinese; human do err especially for blur girl who needs visual aid.