Language Barrier

As many of you may already know, my first language is English, whereas its Cantonese for most others in Hong Kong. This often supplies me with my daily dosage of giggles.

Now I Know My ABC’s

Earlier today Willie and I were taking a stroll nearby my apartment. Being a normal Saturday afternoon, there were many families out and about enjoying the weather. We happened to pass by a mother and her son, and caught this little tidbit.

The mother was teaching her son how to spell various English words. We walked by right as she declared, “Sit. C-I-T, sit.”

Don’t Give Me Crap

Note: My stepdad speaks English aas a second language, and Cantonese as his first.

My mother has a strange animosity towards bread crust. Whenever presented with a slice or roll, she proceeds to tear out and eat the fluffy insides, and hand the crust to the nearest family member for them munch on.

Whenever I make some buns or loaves she likes to pig out on a few pieces, as few things are as pleasurable as freshly-baked bread. After slicing open a loaf one evening she grabbed a couple of slices and sat down on the couch with my stepdad, my little sister and me. As she picked her way through she’d occasionally reach over and hand my stepdad some crust.

We usually giggle at Mom when she does this, but we were all rather surprised when my stepdad remarked, “I always get the crap.” A bit of a rude thing to say in front of the little one. More crust was handed over and out popped the comment, “Ah, more crap.”

He looked over at Mom and I snickering, thought for a moment, then winced as he obviously mentally slapped himself. “Crust! I meant crust, not crap!”

17 CommentsJump to comments form

  • Salome said,
    November 14, 2004 8 years, 193 days ago

    So the bread you bake is covered in crap, Becca. XD XD lol Oh your stepdad made me laugh SO hard XD

  • Jess said,
    November 14, 2004 8 years, 193 days ago

    HAHAHAHA!!!! Your stepdad is sure humorous! I never knew your mom was so picky about the crust! I thought the Chinese were taught at an early age to not be so picky-I was taught to eat the insides and crusts as well when handed a piece of bread.

  • Allison said,
    November 14, 2004 8 years, 193 days ago

    LOL – as a teacher I really enjoyed the spelling story, haha. I hear that type of spelling on a daily basis with my 1st graders.. but hardly ever. .. the parents.. lol.I used to give my crust away too but now it’s all good. I’m back from my vacation so if you have any layout updates (as you mentioned in my journal) feel free to email me about them

  • Carrie said,
    November 14, 2004 8 years, 193 days ago

    I needed a good laugh, thanks I also forgot to mention when I was here awhile ago, I ADORE turtles, it’s nice to see I am not crazy or alone it that

  • psycho said,
    November 14, 2004 8 years, 193 days ago

    Muahahaha! Actually, I quite like the bread *crap* Hehe! Sit became c-i-t… I wonder what will happen to “set”!

  • Nokolia said,
    November 14, 2004 8 years, 193 days ago

    LOL, becca that is too hilarious! I wounder if I’ll ever come across those sort of things once I move to japan.

  • Elea said,
    November 15, 2004 8 years, 193 days ago

    Ah, that reminds me of my mom attempting to write an e-mail to her cousin the other day… She asked me, “Iraq is spelled…A-R-A-K, right?”Not quite as funny as your stories, but still…amused me nonetheless.

  • Erica said,
    November 16, 2004 8 years, 193 days ago

    hahaha thats so great!

  • Aymiee said,
    November 16, 2004 8 years, 193 days ago

    Beautiful site, by the way!!!! My parents first language is Hmong. Sometimes, my mom switches words around – “my daughter wears lens contact”.

  • Brenda said,
    November 16, 2004 8 years, 193 days ago

    Giggles, your dad is cute! I don’t really like eating the crusts as well, so my mother usually gets them. As for the first one, it is the first time I see people spelling sit as C-I-T.. Teehee.By the way, you live in Hongkong? I am going there next month from 11th-18th Dec. Just wondering how is the weather like during that period of time so that I can shop for winter wear.

  • Skye said,
    November 17, 2004 8 years, 193 days ago

    Hehe, crap. English is the second language for my sisters husband also. He always gets “bubbly” and “wobbly” mixed up for some reason. Lol. But then again, I’m struggling to learn cantonese so anything is better than me

  • Ms Muse said,
    November 17, 2004 8 years, 193 days ago

    A fruedulant slip if ever I heard one

  • MK said,
    November 17, 2004 8 years, 193 days ago

    hahaha the whole CIT thng is funny…..

  • Kymmie said,
    November 18, 2004 8 years, 193 days ago

    I especially love Freudian slips on company-wide sales calls over the PA or in serious conversation over a budget. THAT? Makes my day worthwhile. Great read! I enjoy your corner here quite a bit!

  • Bree said,
    November 18, 2004 8 years, 193 days ago

    ROFL! sorry I have no other words. Parents can be so hilarious.

  • Dionne said,
    November 20, 2004 8 years, 193 days ago

    The first one about the lady teaching her baby is sad, ’cause the baby will grow up thinking that. The last bit is funny, though.

  • Elizabeth said,
    November 21, 2004 8 years, 193 days ago

    XD That’s pretty funny! My dad’s first language is Mandarin and I find myself still correcting his grammar. =)

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