I'm just a language learner, not polyglot or multilingual

If I say "polyglot", most likely people in Malaysia will think it's a Korean pop song, the latest K-pop hit. They'd understand "multilingual" better but I'd avoid this term too. I'd just say "I'm a language learner" or "I'm learning [name(s) of language(s)]" and leave it at that. Otherwise people will have all sorts of high-level expectations as if I'm able to function flawlessly in many languages like an expert. As if I can speak like a native with no accent, no mistakes, on any topic using all the technical terms and idiomatic expressions. Come on, even a native speaker would not be able to speak smoothly on unfamiliar topics, right?

Neither do I like using the word "fluent" because it's so loaded with subjective meanings. Many equate it to high proficiency in everything. I personally think it means being able to speak without pausing too much, that's it. So in my opinion one can be fluent at beginner, elementary, intermediate, advanced levels. But to avoid confusion and subjective definitions, I'd stick to proficiency as a measurement tool. Proficiency is what you can do. A beginner can do less, an expert can do much more.

For me, I'm comfortable claiming English, Bahasa Malaysia, Cantonese and Mandarin as languages I'd put on my CV or résumé. That's because I can maintain conversations in these languages at an intermediate to advanced level. Two of these I can read and write at a high level of proficiency.

English is my main spoken and written language. I've used it in an academic setting up to university level and lived in an English-speaking country for four and a half years. With Bahasa Malaysia I have full working proficiency, having learnt it in eleven years of national school (Sekolah Kebangsaan + Sekolah Menengah) where it's the medium of instruction. For Cantonese, my heritage language, I can hold conversations comfortably on a variety of topics, including abstract and less common ones. However, in Mandarin my range of spoken expression is limited to concrete, straightforward matters.

I prefer the term "main language" because that's what it means. "Mother tongue" or "first language" can be misleading especially in my case. People look at me, see that I'm Chinese and assume my main language must be Mandarin and that I'm able to speak it like a native. No, no, no. Take it easy, man. Assumptions, ass-ump-tions can kill. I'm lost if you speak rapid-fire Mandarin and use all those idioms and alliterations that a high-level speaker would know. I'm just intermediate, for goodness sake. Keep it simple and straightforward.

I've also learnt some other languages to varying extents, such as Hakka, Penang Hokkien, Vietnamese, Thai, Tamil, Japanese, Portugese, Russian and French, but can't maintain a conversation so I wouldn't say I speak them. My mileage varies though, as I'm able to read French and Portuguese to some extent and speak enough Hakka to surprise people for a couple of minutes.

Other languages that I can speak at an elementary level (CEFR A2) are Spanish and German. For German I took a placement test (Einstufungsprüfung) for A2 at the Goethe-Institut Kuala Lumpur, so it validated my estimation of my speaking ability (although I'm sure my reading comprehension is better than A2). I wouldn't put them on my resume until I can speak them at the same level as my Mandarin which I reckon to be at intermediate level (B1 on the CEFR for those who know what the heck it is).

Spanish I haven't spoken for years so it's quite rusty, but can be revived quickly with some practice. I do have problems understanding Spain Spanish because my exposure has been primarily to American Spanish. I'm surprised that I remember so much vocabulary, so I must have done something right when learning the language thirteen years ago.

Yet I can read German and Spanish much better than Mandarin. I understand books and newspapers in German and Spanish, and can speed-read in both. But I read very slowly and struggle with deciphering the language of Chinese newspapers. Any book written in Chinese makes me fall asleep. Give me anything in the Roman alphabet and I'll digest it fast. Give me a non-alphabetic or complex writing system and I'll dump it into the slow cooker.

At the moment I'm learning German at full speed. That's what I'm focusing on now for language learning. Somehow German appeals to me because of the things I can read in it. Their open attitude towards certain matters, their variety of topics, their cultural advancement, and a rich library of content available on the Internet provide strong motivating factors for me to dive into it. The only difficulty I have now is finding real people to talk to, but in the meantime I'm doing intensive listening and transcribing to get used to the spoken language.

I'd like to learn more languages, but there are only 24 hours in a day and I have other things to do as well. So I'm just concentrating on one to bring it up to at least an upper intermediate level. Once I reach that point, I'll start learning another one. The rest are on maintenance or storage mode.

Cantonese Joke: Ah Por Gong Wa Jau Yam 阿婆讲话走音 (Mature Audiences Only)

First in a series of 阿婆讲话走音 Ah Por Gong Wa Jau Yam jokes.

This clearly illustrates the pitfalls of not pronouncing Cantonese with the correct tones. Every word you say must be correct in tone and sound, otherwise the meaning changes dramatically as you can see from this Granny Speaks Out Of Tone joke.

從前有一個住係海邊的亞婆，有一日佢見到兩個人跳海，佢去救左其中一個人，而另一個救唔到。咁佢就打999報警。電話一通，
chungchin yau yatgo jyu hai hoibin dik apo, yau yat yat keui gindou leunggo yan tiu hoi, keui heui gau jo keijung yatgo yan, yi ling yatgo gau mdou. gam keui jau da 999 bou ging. dinwa yattung,
Earlier there was a Granny staying near the seaside, one day she saw two people jumping into the sea, she went and saved one but couldn't save the other. So she called 999 to make a police report. When the phone call went through,

婆婆就問：喂！系唔系鳩鳩鳩呀?(婆婆想問系唔系999)
popo jau man: wai! hai m hai gau gau gau a? (popo seung man hai m hai 999)
Granny asks: Hello! Is this dick dick dick? (Granny wants to ask "Is this 999")
個差佬就答：乜撚野鳩鳩鳩呀？
go chaailou jau daap: mat lan ye gau gau gau a?
The policeman answers: What the cock is dick dick dick?
婆婆就話勒：有人屌"high"丫！（有人跳海）
popo jau wa lak: yau yan diu "high" a! (yau yan tiu hoi)
Granny says: Someone's fucking cunt! (Someone jumped into the sea)
個差佬就講：人地屌西關你撚事呀？
go chaailou jau gong: yan dei diu hai gwaan nei lan si a?
The policeman says: What the heck does other people fucking got to do with you?
婆婆又話：一個有鳩，一個無鳩呀！（一個有救，一個冇救）
popo yau wa: yatgo yau gau, yatgo mou gau a! (yatgo yau gau, yat go mou gau)
Granny then says: One's got a dick, the other doesn't! (One saved, one not saved)
差佬就答佢：屌西當然要一個有鳩，一個冇鳩嫁啦!!!
chaailou jau daap keui: diu hai dongyin yiu yatgo yau gau, yatgo mou gau ga la!!!
The policeman then answers: Fucking cunt of course means one's got a dick and the other doesn't!
婆婆就講：無鳩的叫得好大聲丫。
popo jau gong: mou gau dik giu dak hou daai seng a.
Granny then says: The one with no dick screamed very loudly.
差佬又答佢：叫床丫嘛，糟到你咩！亞婆，你之前食撚左乜野?
chaailou yau daap keui: giu chong a ma, jou dou nei me! apo, nei jichin sik lan jo matye?
The policeman then replies: Lovemaking sounds, does it bother you? Granny, what the hell did you eat earlier?

Source:
http://hkg.westkit.net/?p=v&id=2272736

Dim Gaai Ngo Oi Se Gwong Jau Wa Ge Tong Yan Ji?

点解我爱写广州话嘅唐人字？

好多人写唐话系用华语文法，华语词汇，华语方式。我就冇喺华语书馆读过。我净系识讲好基本嘅广州话。词汇又系好简单嘅。识得嘅字都唔系几多啫。所以呢，叫我写正式中文嘅信函我就唔识。

我净系识写我讲出嘅说话。 I can only transcribe my speech as it is. It's analogous to writing down the colloquial spoken version of Tamil (koduntamil) instead of the formal written version (centamil).

If Khalil Fong 方大同 Had Four Brothers

1. If Khalil Fong (方大同) had four brothers, they'd be Khalid, Khairul, Khairy, and Khamis Fong.

2. His Chinese name being fong daai tung 方大同, they'd be dai yat 第一, bou teun 宝顿, hong lok 康乐, and lin sing 连成 (daai tung fa yun 花园 = Taman Taynton, dai yat fa yun 第一花园 = Taman Pertama, bou teun fa yun 宝顿花园= Bolton Garden (Taman Midah), hong lok fa yun 康乐花园 = Taman Connaught, lin sing fa yun 连成花园 = Taman Lensen).

3. Malaysians would understand Point No. 1 subconsciously.

4. Those who know the Chinese names of established residential areas in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur (吉隆坡蕉赖) would understand Point No. 2.

Cantonese Tones: Explanation

Having searched the Internet for an easy-to-understand explanation, I've taken the following table and excerpts from Wikipedia.

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_Cantonese

[Excerpt begins here]

Syllable type	Open syllables						Stopped syllables
Tone name	Upper Level (陰平)	Upper Rising (陰上)	Upper Departing (陰去)	Lower Level (陽平)	Lower Rising (陽上)	Lower Departing (陽去)	Upper Entering #1 (上陰入)	Upper Entering #2 (下陰入)	Lower Entering (陽入)
Pinyin tone number	1	2	3	4	5	6	7 (or 1)	8 (or 3)	9 (or 6)
Examples	詩	史	試	時	市	是	識	錫	食
Tone letters	si˥, si˥˧	si˧˥	si˧	si˨˩, si˩	si˩˧	si˨	sik˥	sik˧	sik˨
Tone diacritics	sí, sî	sǐ	sī	si̖, sı̏	si̗	sì	sík	sīk	sìk
Description	high level, high falling	medium rising	medium level	low falling, very low level	low rising	low level	high level	medium level	low level
Yale Romanization	sī, sì	sí	si	sīh, sìh	síh	sih	sīk	sik	sihk

Joe's note: For some reason the table is not being displayed completely in this blog. It only shows the first six tones on screen. To see the complete table please visit the source page at the URL above.

The first tone can be either high level or high falling without affecting the meaning of the words being spoken. Most speakers are in general not consciously aware of when they use and when to use high level and high falling. In Hong Kong, the high level is more usual. In Guangzhou, the high falling tone is more usual.

The numbers "394052786" when pronounced in Standard Cantonese, will give the nine tones in order (Romanisation (Yale) saam1, gau2, sei3, ling4, ng5, yi6, chat7, baat8, luk9), thus giving a good mnemonic for remembering the nine tones.

[Excerpt ends here]

Joe says:

Personally I can only distinguish four tones: 1, 2, 3 or 5, 4 or 6. When I hear a Cantonese word, I can tell for sure whether it's Tone 1 or Tone 2, but Tone 3 & Tone 5 sound the same to me, and same goes for Tone 4 & Tone 6. In other words I can't tell the difference between Tone 3 & Tone 5, and between Tone 4 & Tone 6.

Cantonese Tones: Magic Formula

To cut a long story short, there are six tones in Cantonese. By chance, there's a magic formula to memorize all of them correctly. Say the following numbers one by one:

3 9 4 0 5 2 7 8 6
saam gau sei ling ng yi chat baat luk
三九四零五二七八六

or

3 9 4 0 5 2 1 8 6
saam gau sei ling ng yi yat baat luk
三九四零五二一八六

The first six numbers of either series give you the six tones in proper order. Some people say there are nine tones, but the extra three are essentially the same with three of the six tones. The only difference is that these "extra" three tones are only for words ending with p, t, or k. Don't worry, both magic formulae take care of this extra aspect in proper order too. Strange, isn't it? Fate works in mysterious ways.

So, remember the following:

394 052 786
394 052 186

I say to everybody: If you can say out all the numbers from 0 to 9 in Cantonese, congratulations! You already know the basics of mastering the six tones of Cantonese.

The Yale Romanization System for Cantonese

Source: Pronunciation Guide from the Ving Tsun Museum website
http://home.vtmuseum.org/terminology/pronounciation_guide.php

Consonants

Yale Description of sound

b resembles the (unaspirated) 'p' in 'span', 'spill'; to an unaccustomed ear, an initial unaspirated p can often sound like 'b' in 'bill'.
d resembles the (unaspirated) 't' in 'stand', 'still'.
g resembles the 'qu' in 'squad', 'square'. There is some evidence that this sound is becoming simplified over time, and words transcribed with gw may actually be heard, in the speech of some native-speakers, as beginning with g.
j an unaspirated sound something between 'ts' in 'cats' and 'tch' in 'catch'.
p in initial positions the (aspirated) 'p' in 'pat', 'pin'; in final position, that is, at the end of the syllable, 'p' in unreleased.
t in initial positions the (aspirated) 't' in 'top', 'tin'; in the final position, the 't' is unreleased.
k in initial position resembles the 'k' in 'kick', 'kill'; in the finial position, 'k' is unreleased.
kw A strongly aspirated plosive, resembles 'qu' in 'quick', 'quill'.
ch resembles the (aspitated) 'ch' in 'cheese', 'chill'.
f resembles the 'f' in 'fan', 'scarf'.
s resembles the 's' in 'sing', 'sit'.
h (only in initial positions in the syllable) resembles the 'h' in 'how', 'hand'. (after a vowel, 'h' is used to denote one of the low tones.)
l resembles the 'l' in 'like', 'love'.
m resembles the 'm' in 'man', 'stem'.
n resembles the 'n' in 'now', 'nice'. There is a widespread tendency, particularly amongst the younger generation of Cantonese speakers, to replace an initial n by l, and there is consequently some variation in pronunciation: many words, which are transcribed with an initial letter n in this book may be heard beginning with l. For instance, néi 'you', may be heard as léi.
ng resembles the southern English pronunciation of 'ng' as in 'sing' (that is, without pronouncing the 'g' separately). This sound occurs only after vowels in English, but in Cantonese it can also occur at the beginning of syllables. However, many native speakers do not pronounce this sound initially. And, just as in English, a final -ng, particularly after the long vowel aa, is often replaced by -n, although this variation does not have the social connotation it has in English (i.e. runnin' and jumpin').
y resembles the 'y' in 'yes', 'yellow'.
w resembles the 'w' in 'wish', 'will'.

Vowels

Yale Description of sound

a resembles the 'u' in the southern English pronunciation of 'but'.
aa resembles the southern English 'a' in 'father'. When this sound is not followed by a consonant in the same syllable, the second a of the aa is omitted in writing: fa is pronounced as if it were 'faa'.
e resembles the 'e' of 'ten'.
eu resembles the French 'eu' as is 'feu', or the German 'o' as in 'schon'. It is pronounced like the 'e' of 'ten', but with rounded lips.
i resembles the 'ee' of 'deep'.
o resembles the 'aw' in 'saw'.
u resemebles the 'u' in the southern English 'put'.
yu resembles the French 'u' as in 'tu', or the German 'u' as in 'Tur'. It is pronounced like the 'ee' of 'deep', but with the lips rounded instead of spread.

Diphthongs

Yale Description of sound

ai a + i, a combination of 'a' plus 'I', a very short diphthong, much shorter than the sound of 'y' in 'my'.
aai a + i, resembling the 'ie' in 'lie'.
au a + u, resembling the 'ou' in 'out'.
aau aa + u, resembling a long 'ou' in 'ouch!'
eui eu + i, a combination of 'eu' plus 'i', something like the hesitation form 'er' in English (without the 'r' sound) followed by 'ee': 'e(r)-ee'.
iu i + u, a combination of 'i' plus 'u', something like 'yew' in English.
oi o + i, resembling the 'oy' in 'boy'.
ou o + u, resembling the 'oe' in 'foe'.
ui u + i, resembling the 'ooey' in 'phooey'.

Brief Introduction to Cantonese Pronunciation

In pronouncing a syllable in Cantonese, three elements must be taken into account, namely, an initial, a final, and a tone. The initial includes whatever is before the main vowel, the final includes the main vowel and whatever follows it and the tone is the voice pitch of the syllable. For the syllable ngáak, the initial is ng, the finial is áak and the tone is high-rising.

Initials - An initial is the starting-off sound of a word.

Of the nineteen initials in Cantonese, ch, p, t, ck, and kw are aspirated while b, d, g, gw, and j are unaspirated. The aspirated ch is articulated between the English ch and ts. Two terms may need explanation: aspirated and unaspirated. Aspirated consonants are pronounced with a puff of air, as in the English p in pan and lip. In some cases, such as, in English, after s (span, spill), the same consonants lose the puff of air and are unaspirated. At the end of a word they may not even be completed: the lips close to form the sound but do not open again to make the sound explode. Such sounds are termed unaspirated.

Aspirated stops: Non-aspirated stops:
P T
CH
B
G
GW K
KW
D
J
Nasals: Fricative and Continuants:
M N
F
H NG
L
S
Semi-Vowels
Y W

Finals

A finial is the concluding sound of a word and there are fifty-one of these. The main vowel is the key part of the Cantonese final. The vowels may be either long or short and this affects the pronunciation. The vowels in the _underlined_ finals are shorter. The endings are P T K are pronounced without any burst of air (unreleased).

Finals starting with "A"
A AAI AAU AAM AAN AANG AAP AAT AAK
_AI_ _AU_ _AM_ _AN_ _ANG_ _AP_ _AT_ _AK_

Finals starting with "E"
E ENG EK EU EUNG EUK
_EI_ _EUI_ _EUN_ _EUT_

Finals starting with "I"
I IK IM IN IP IT IU
_ING_

Finals starting with "O"
O OI OK ON OT ONG
_OU_

Finals starting with "U"
U UN UT UI
_UK_ _UNG_

Finals starting with "Y"
YU YUN

How I Write Chinese On The Computer

I use CantoInput, developed by John Burket for this purpose. You can input using Yale or Jyutping romanization for Cantonese, or Hanyu Pinyin for Mandarin. Its "vocabulary" includes commonly used Cantonese characters in addition to the usual Mandarin character set.

Personally I find this system the most suitable for myself as it allows input in Cantonese. Only thing is that you've gotta familiarize yourself with the Yale romanization system. Fortunately the Yale system was designed for English speakers so the learning curve isn't steep at all.

You can find out more about CantoInput at http://cantoinput.wordpress.com/

Lyrics, Romanization & Translation: Sei Sing Bat Goi 死性不改 by Boy'z & Twins

Been searching for this song for five years without success. Until today. Glad to have found the lyrics and music video. The duet version is bachatable after 1:40.

Music Videos:
Duet Version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBA5i5s_vqI
No lyrics but if you understand Cantonese, should be no problem la

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvFPYvSuZ8o
Same video as above but with lyrics for karaoke-ing

Boy'z Rock Version with lyrics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=607OqD-XL1k

Lyrics Source for the duet version:
http://www.ailrc.com/html/153/DWDGSPH.htm

Yale romanization by me
[Updated on Tuesday, 11 August 2009 at 11:05pm with English translation based on my limited knowledge of Chinese characters and some help from Uncle Google's language tools]

#
歌曲：死性不改(合唱版)
song: sei sing bat goi (duet version)

歌手：boy'z&twins
artistes: boy'z & twins

爱词酷.歌词网.谢谢您支持
ngoi chi huk . go chi mong . jeje nei jichi

Chinese character lyrics, Yale romanization, rough translation (words in brackets for clarity of translation):

sa:再见了我的宠爱
joigin liu ngodik chung ngoi
byebye already my pet love

谁愿接受这种意外
seui yun jipsau jejung yingoi
who's willing to accept this kind of accident

gill:你赞我天生可爱
nei jaan ngo tinsaang hongoi
you praise me natural born cute

不愿看著我离开
batyun honjeuk ngo leihoi
not satisfied (to) see me leave

sa:同伴也话我傻喜欢受挫
tungpun ya wa ngo so heifun sau cho
(my) companions also say I'm stupid happy to receive obstructions

宁愿情敌在伤我
ningyun ching dik joi seung ngo
(I'd) rather (my) love rival injure me again

人天生根本都不可以爱死身边的一个
yan tinsaang ganbun dou bathoyi ngoi sei sanbin dik yatgo
human's inborn nature in fact also can't love to death the one at one's side

无奈你最够刺激我凡事也治倒我
mounoi nei jeui gau chigik ngo faan si ya ji dou ngo
(I'm) helpless (because) you always excite me all the time (you) also govern me

几多黑心的教唆我亦捱得过
geido haksam dik gaauso ngo yik ngaai dak gwo
(no matter) how many black-hearted instigations I also can endure

来煽风来点火就击倒我麼
loi sin fung loi dim fo jau gik dou ngo mo
come stir up wind come put fire just hit me whatever

gill:谁恋爱就多障碍死性我不想改
seui lyunngoi jau do jeungngoi sei sing ngo bat seung goi
who's (everyone's) love will have many obstacles bad habits I don't wanna change

如我没有你的爱我没法活得来
yu ngo mutyau nei dik ngoi ngo mutfaat wut dak loi
if I don't have your love no way I can live

情人的存在是我从来都志在
chingyan dik chyunjoi si ngo chungloi dou jijoi
existence of (a) lover has all the while been my aim

t:难在我拱手让爱
nan joi ngo gung sau yeung ngoi
(it's) hard (for) me (to) give up love

sa:点解要咁姐/者
dimgaai yiu gam je
why must (be) like this je

gill:点解唔可以咁呀
dimgaai mhoyi gam a
why cannot (be) like this ah

sa:你唔觉得好辛苦咩
nei mgokdak hou sanfu me
you don't think (it's) very suffering meh

gill:辛苦但系我钟意呀
sanfu daanhai ngo jungyi a
suffering but I like it ah

sa:算吧啦
suen ba la
whatever lah

kenny:我怕可一不可再难道你被爱都有害
ngo pa ho yat batho joi nandou nei bei ngoi dou yau hoi
I'm afraid to do it again is (because) you get harmed from being loved

steven:我确信天真不会错威力会移山填海
ngo kok seun tinjan batwui cho wailik wui yi saan tin hoi
I firmly believe (being) naive isn't wrong power will move mountains fill in the seas

boyz:同伴也话我傻喜欢受挫
tungpun ya wa ngo so heifun sau cho
(my) companions also say I'm stupid happy to receive obstructions

宁愿情敌再伤我
ningyun chingdik joi seung ngo
(I'd) rather (my) love rival injure me again

boyz:人天生根本都不可以爱死身边的一个
yan tinsaang ganbun dou bathoyi ngoi sei sanbin dik yatgo
human's inborn nature in fact also can't love to death the one at one's side

无奈你最够刺激我凡事也治到我
mounoi nei jeui gau chigik ngo faan si ya ji dou ngo
(I'm) helpless (because) you always excite me all the time (you) also govern me

几多黑心的教唆我亦捱得过
geido haksam dik gaauso ngo yik ngaai dak gwo
(no matter) how many black-hearted instigations I also can endure

来煽风来点火就击倒我麼
loi sin fung loi dim fo jau gikdou ngo mo
come stir up wind come put fire just hit me whatever

谁恋爱就多障碍死性我不想改
seui lyunngoi jau do jeungngoi sei sing ngo bat seung goi
who's (everyone's) love will have many obstacles bad habits I don't wanna change

如我没有你的爱我没法活得来
yu ngo mutyau nei dik ngoi ngo mutfaat wut dak loi
if I don't have your love no way I can live

情人的存在是我从来都志在
chingyan dik chyunjoi si ngo chungloi dou jijoi
existence of (a) lover has all the while been my aim

难在我拱手让爱
nan joi ngo gung sau yeung ngoi
(it's) hard (for) me (to) give up love

boyz+twins:人天生根本都不可以爱死身边的一个
yan tinsaang ganbun dou bathoyi ngoi sei sanbin dik yatgo
human's inborn nature in fact also can't love to death the one at one's side

无奈你最够刺激我凡事也治到我
mounoi nei jeui gau chigik ngo faan si ya ji dou ngo
(I'm) helpless (because) you always excite me all the time (you) also govern me

几多黑心的教唆我亦捱得过
geido haksam dik gaauso ngo yik ngaai dak gwo
(no matter) how many black-hearted instigations I also can endure

来煽风来点火就击倒我麼
loi sin fung loi dim fo jau gikdou ngo mo
come stir up wind come put fire just hit me whatever

谁恋爱就多障碍死性我不想改
seui lyunngoi jau do jeungngoi sei sing ngo bat seung goi
who's (everyone's) love will have many obstacles bad habits I don't wanna change

如我没有你的爱我没法活得来
yu ngo mutyau nei dik ngoi ngo mutfaat wut dak loi
if I don't have your love no way I can live

情人的存在是我从来都志在
chingyan dik chyunjoi si ngo chungloi dou jijoi
existence of (a) lover has all the while been my aim

难在我拱手让爱
nan joi ngo gung sau yeung ngoi
(it's) hard (for) me (to) give up love

Learn Chinese and English: Why Arguments Happen

Ng Jim Carl's original in Mandarin, written in Traditional Characters:
爭吵其實是希望對方更謙讓自己，但是如果雙方只站在自己的立場上不妥協，矛盾就加大

Joe's rendition in colloquial Cantonese, written in Simplified Characters and Yale romanization:
争吵其实系希望对方更谦让自己，但系如果双方只站在自己嘅立场上唔妥协，矛盾就加大

jaangchaau keisat hai heimong deuifong gang himyeung jigei, daanhai yugwo seungfong ji jaamjoi jigei ge laapcheungseung m tohip, maauteun jau ga daai

Translation by Ng Jim Carl:
Argument happens because we want the other party to be more lenient and receptive to ourselves, but if both parties stand firm on own grounds, then the conflict will only magnify.

Dou Hip Dou Mou Yung La 道歉都冇用啦

你头先走嚟搵我道歉。道乜嘢歉？你喺呢度咁多日都唔同我讲声。临走嗰阵时後都唔同我讲。而家先讲。乜嘢意思？你话你有事所以见唔到我。哎吔，你当我天真咩？想搵我笨？重色轻友就重色轻友啦！使乜讲。。

你仲有胆话我＂你爱懊恼就懊恼囖，我只要你了解我嘅事情。＂ 咁都俾你讲得出。你唔值得我嘅了解。你冇资格做我嘅朋友。我冇时间理你。好彩你仲未遇到问题，我系等着你跌到 so that 你会知道太迟啦。

25 样嘢 (Cantonese version of 25 Things)

既然咁多朋友都已经写底佢哋嘅 《25 样嘢》， 咁我就跟着写囖。

01) 我系本地制造嘅鬼佬。思想完全都系用英文嘅。
02) 我中意食印度餐。
03) 我唔识写华语嘅。唔好叫我写任何中文信件。
04) 我都系唔识讲华语嘅。虽然识睇多少唐人字， 但都用广东话嚟读出嚟嘅。
05) 我觉得我国嘅政治越嚟越黐线。
06) 为咗想了解 [印度教权利行动队](HINDRAF)嘅目标，我开始学 [他咪尔] (Tamil)话。
07) 我认为宗教系攞嚟控制人民嘅思想同埋行动。
08) 我觉得猫猫同埋狗狗好可爱嘅。
09) 喺我屋企有八只猫。
10) 我最中意 Kitty 小姐因为佢最黐我。
11) 以前我唔信命运； 过咗一段好辛苦嘅时间，我先信有咁嘅嘢。
12) 有时我好唔想讲话因为觉得讲乜嘢都冇用。
13) 我十五岁先开始想要学睇唐人字。因为想知道人哋嘅唐人名点样翻译去罗马字。
14) 我踹脚车最远系蕉赖保敦到咁邦班丹。
15) 我住喺 [南费城] (South Philly) 嗰阵时，就成日同一位越南华侨阿婶倾偈。佢讲嘅广东话好得意嘅。例如：＂有去做？＝ 有冇返工＂， ＂冇嘢做 ＝ 冇工做＂， ＂影相 ＝ 照 X 光＂， ＂你去呀？ ＝ 你走呀？＂，＂邮店 ＝ 邮政局＂， ＂去做 ＝ 上班＂， ＂嗰个嘢 ＝ 嗰个人＂。
16) 我有被两个黑人打劫过一次。 好彩冇受伤。
17) 读紧大学嘅时候，我哋学生们中意提起嗰个[巫师俱乐部] (Club Wizzards)。嗰间俱乐部系脱舞吧嚟嘅， 就喺 [亚美丽咖辣椒] (American Chilli's) 餐厅楼下。 好多大学生去嗰度睇靓女跳脱舞同埋杆位舞。一定要戴多啲散纸嚟俾 tips 呀。
18) 对我讲，生活俾我好多美好嘅回忆同埋好多伤心嘅悲事。我只想记得嗰啲好事，7完全忘记嗮嗰啲悲事。
19) 我觉得讲话加难过写字。 写咗嘅字仲有机会改， 但系讲咗嘅话唔可以收返。
20) 我自己俾嘅沙沙舞蹈俱乐部嘅名系： 小哈哇哪 (Little Havana)，沙沙哈哇哪 (Salsa Havana)，嘺吧/猪扒 (Qba)， 巴沙努哇 (Bossa Nova)， 六九俱乐部 (Club 69)，啊哩亚 (Aliyaa)，边疆 (Frontera)
21) 有个人问我究竟乜嘢系[拉丁] (Latin)。 我同佢讲，＂拉丁系一个古代语文喺好耐以前嘅罗马帝国时候嗰啲人讲嘅。＂ 讲咗之後我先知佢问嗰个拉丁其实系个种舞蹈。 哎吔！
22) 我有经历过台北，台中同埋广州嘅沙沙舞蹈现场。嗰度嘅女人多过男人两三倍。
23) 我有去过： 文来，香港，美国，澳洲嘅圣诞岛，新加坡，菲律宾嘅马尼拉， 泰国嘅曼谷同埋普吉，柬埔寨嘅吴哥窟，印尼嘅边丹岛， 台湾嘅台北同埋台中， 中国嘅广州市同埋肇庆市。
24) 我未上过吉隆坡高塔或者吉隆坡双子塔。但系 台北101，世界贸易中心， 帝国大厦， 自由女神像 我就上过囖。
25) 我喺卡啦屋企唱嗰啲歌完全都系背嗮咗嘅。因为我冇可能睇得嗮嗰啲中文歌词。 太快啦。

Nenek Tua's Cantonese and Indon Guy's Cantonese

Once upon a time in the USA I had the opportunity to stay in the same house with a Vietnam-born Chinese grandma (Nenek Tua) and a Chinese guy from Indonesia (Indonesian Cantonese) plus a few others.

It was interesting because all three of us are Cantonese by descent but born outside China, grew up in non-Chinese countries and speak different languages as our main language (me: English, Nenek Tua: Vietnamese, Indonesian Cantonese: Bahasa Indonesia). The only way we could chat with each other was through Cantonese, our only common language, also our ancestral language but spoken only as a second language.

It took me some time to get used to Nenek Tua's Cantonese. Her sentence structure shows heavy Vietnamese influence. e.g. "Yau hui jo? 有去做?" (got go do?) means "yau mo hui jo gung 有冇去做工" (got go work or not?). Bcos in Vietnamese it's "có đi làm"... "làm" means "do" or "work" in Vietnamese. Overlapping meanings... just like "hacer" means "to do" or "to make" in Spanish. Comparing all the languages that I know and am learning, each one has different ways of saying things and little interesting differences in structure and use of words plus overlapping meanings.

When I wanna go out, she'd ask "Nei yau mo hui... 你有冇去..." (you got go or not)... but go where? What she means is "you are going out or not?" which would be "nei yau mo hui kai a 你有冇去街呀?" Nenek Tua's sentences are often hanging... haha... Back to the "yau hui jo 有去做" thingy, the Vietnam Chinese usually say "hui jo 去做" instead of "jo gung 做工" for work, working or to work.

Some words same with Malaysian Cantonese are: lui 铝 (money), jung goo 仲估 (thought/guessed), bai yat 拜一, bai yee 拜二... laai bai 礼拜 (days of the week), hui liu 去辽 (holidaying/traveling), tong yan 唐人 (ethnic Chinese). In Hong Kong, those words would be chin 钱, yee wai 以为, sing kei yat 星期一, sing kei yee 星期二... sing kei yat 星期日, hui fong ga 去放假 / hui lui yau 去旅游, wah yan 华人 /jung gwok yan 中国人. I'm not sure whether Vietnam Cantonese uses "yat bai 一摆, leong bai 两摆" or "yat chi 一次, leong chi 两次". (one time, two times).

Nenek Tua's Cantonese (and what she means):
hui jo 去做 = go work
hui 去 = go out
ji 纸 = paper (any kind of paper... newspaper, toilet paper, normal paper also is referred to by the same word)

At first, when she asked me bout things, I thought.. do what? go where? what paper? Once, I said "sak che 塞车" (traffic jam), she asked whether my car was blocked... hahahaha... Onn Nam Yan 安南人 means ethnic Vietnamese as opposed to Tong Yan 唐人 (ethnic Chinese). gor gor ye 嗰个嘢 (that thing/person) is how she refers to both things and people. I remember saying gor tiu yau 嗰条友 back in Malaysia, but a better way to refer to people is gor gor yan 嗰个人 while gor gor ye 嗰个嘢 is more used for things.

Nenek Tua's English vocabulary:
microwave, computer, heat (this is how she calls both the heater and the kitchen ventilation fan... hehe), car, work, eat, sick, thank you, husband, nephew, my, no, speak, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, hi, bye... Unlike most Chinese who don't speak English, she pronounces R as R and not L because southern Vietnamese has the R sound.

As for Indonesian Cantonese guy, his pronunciation is more like those heong ha wa 乡下话 spoken in some of the Cantonese villages that differ significantly from Standard Cantonese. I can understand him though, it's not as different as my late grandma's (from father's side: marmar 嫲嫲) Sun Wooi Wa 新会话. Indon Cantonese guy uses "wooi 会" instead of "sik 识" or "hiu 晓" if he's referring to knowing how to do something. He also says "hook 哭" instead of "haam 喊" for crying.

Lyrics & Romanization: Hung Yat (Hacken Lee) 紅日 (李克勤)

Translation from
http://hacken-lyrics.blogspot.com/2007/02/red-day.html

Music video with Chinese lyrics at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtVIbcPTy_M

Romanization by me

紅日 - hung yat - red day

曲:立川俊之
kuk: laap chyun jeun ji
music: tachikawa toshiyuki

詞:李克勤
chi: lei hak kan
lyrics: hacken lee

編:方樹樑
pin: fong syu leung
arranged: kenneth fong

碟: 紅日
dip: hung yat
album: red day

命運就算顛沛流離
mingwan jausyun din pui lau lei
even if life is crazy

命運就算曲折離奇
mingwan jausyun kuk jit leikei
and the road is twisted and winding

命運就算恐嚇著你做人沒趣味
mingwan jausyun hunghaak jeuk nei jouyan mut cheuimei
if life terrifies you and you no longer feel like living

別流淚 心酸 更不應捨棄
bit lau leui sam syun gang batying sehei
please don't cry, or feel disheartened, don't give up

我願能 一生永遠陪伴你
ngo yun nang yatsaang wingyun puipun nei
I will be by your side forever


一生之中兜兜轉轉 那會看清楚
yatsaang jijung daudau jyunjyun na wui hon chingcho
with the twists and turns of life, how can one see clearly?

徬徨時我也試過獨坐一角像是沒協助
pongwong si ngo ya si gwo duk jo yat gok jeung si mut hipjo
I have tried to make it on my own without help

在某年 那幼小的我
joi mau nin na yau siu dik ngo
in those years, when I was young

跌倒過幾多幾多落淚在雨夜滂沱
ditdou gwo geido geido lok leui joi yu ye pong to
I fell so many times, with the tears keeping me company through the rainy nights

一生之中彎彎曲曲我也要走過
yatsaang jijung waanwaan kukkuk ngo ya yiu jau gwo
the path of life so twisted and winding, I have walked it

從何時有你有你伴我給我熱烈地拍和
chung hosi yau nei yau nei pun ngo kap ngo yitlit dei paak wo
when did you start to accompany me on this path, giving me encouragement?

像紅日之火 燃點真的我
jeung hung yat ji fo yin dim jan dik ngo
like the red sun, this fire lights up the real me

結伴行 千山也定能踏過
git pun hang chin saan ya ding nang daap gwo
walking together, we can climb a thousand mountains

讓晚風 輕輕吹過
yeung maan fung hinghing cheui gwo
watching the night wind lightly blowing past

伴送著清幽花香像是在祝福你我
pun sung lok ching yau fa heung jeung si joi jukfuk nei ngo
bringing with it the fragrant scent of flowers, as if bestowing its wishes on us

讓晚星 輕輕閃過
yeung maan sing hinghing sim gwo
watching the night stars shooting by

閃出你每個希冀如浪花 快要沾濕我
sim cheut nei mui go heikei yu longfa faai yiu jim sap ngo
revealing your every wish like waves about to fall on me

Jung Sik Hing Yau 重色轻友

佢唔爱我嚟，佢冇时间见我，我都做唔到乜嘢囖。呢啲咁样嘅朋友值得爱咩？先先佢成日同我联络，而家一啲声气都冇。佢俾一个人迷住咗啦。佢唔系我以前识得嘅朋友。佢会做错一件事。我觉得好可惜。

Shall We Talk by 陳奕迅 Eason Chan: Lyrics & Translation

A beautiful song that reminds me of a turning point in life.

Music Video (with Chinese lyrics):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu9D8tjAW9Q

Romanised Cantonese for those who can't read Chinese:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wugAk90sYHo

Lyrics & Translation Source:
http://asianfanatics.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=202370
(the second post, by "Ancillary Character")

Shall We Talk

明月光　為何又照地堂
ming yutgwong waiho yau jiu deitong
明月光 为何又照地堂
Radiant moonlight, why do you shine on the earthly paradise again?
寧願在公園躲藏　不想喝湯
ningyun joi gungyun dochong batseung hottong
宁愿在公园躲藏 不想喝汤
I’d rather hide in the park since I don't want to drink soup.
任由目光　留在漫畫一角
yamyau mukgwong laujoi maanwa yatgok
任由目光 留在漫画一角
Allowing my gaze to remain on the corner of a comic
為何望母親一眼就如罰留堂
waiho mong mochan yatngaan jau yu fat lautong
为何望母亲一眼就如罚留堂
Why does looking at my mother seem like a punishment?

孩童只盼望歡樂　大人只知道寄望
haaitung ji paanmong funlok daaiyan jek jidou keimong
孩童只盼望欢乐 大人只知道期望
Children only hope for fun, adults only know of the future.
為何都不大懂得努力體恤對方
waiho dou batdaai dungdak noulik taiseut deuifong
为何都不大懂得努力体恤对方
Why don't we comprehend the need to work harder to sympathize with one another?
大門外有蟋蟀　迴響卻如同幻覺
daaimun ngoi yau sikseut wuiheung keuk yu tung waangok
大门外有蟋蟀 回乡却如同幻觉
There is a cricket outside the door; the echoes are like an illusion.
Shall we talk　Shall we talk
就當重新手拖手去上學堂
jau dong chungsan sautosau heui seung hoktong
就当重新手拖手去上学堂
Let's start over and walk hand-in-hand to school.

陪我講　陪我講出我們最後何以生疏
pui ngo gong pui ngo gongcheut ngomun jeuihau hoyi saangso
陪我讲 陪我讲出我们最後何以生疏
Say with me, say aloud with me that in the end we can become estranged.
誰怕講　誰會可悲得過孤獨探戈
seui pa gong seui wui ho beidak gwo guduk taamgwo
谁怕讲 谁会可悲得过孤独探戈
Who's afraid of speaking? Who will be saddened by the lonely Tango?
難得　可以同座　何以　要忌諱赤裸
naandak hoyi tungjo hoyi yiu gei wai cheklo
难得 可以同座 何以 要忌讳赤裸
It's hard enough for us to get together, must we avoid baring ourselves?
如果心聲真有療效　誰怕暴露更多
yugwo samsing janyau liuhaau seui pa boulou gangdo
如果心声真有疗效 谁怕暴露更多
If the sounds of the heart really have a healing effect, who fears to reveal even more?
你別怕我
nei bit pa ngo
你别怕我
You mustn't fear me.

螢幕發光　無論什麼都看
yingmok faatgwong mouleun sammo dou hon
营幕发光 无论什麽都看
The TV screen radiates light. Regardless of what’s on, I’ll watch anyway.
情人在分手邊緣只敢喝湯
chingyan joi fansau binyun ji gam hottong
情人在分手边缘只敢喝汤
Lovers on the brink of heartbreak only dare to drink soup.
若沉默似金　還談什麼戀愛
yeuk chammak chi gam waan taam sammo lyunngoi
若沉默似金 还谈什麽恋爱
If silence is golden, yet we talk about love.
寧願在發聲機器面前笑著忙
ningyun joi faatsing geihei minchin siu jeuk mong
宁愿在发声机器面前笑着忙
I’d rather stand before the speakers busy smiling

成人只寄望收穫　情人只聽見承諾
singyan ji geimong sauwok chingyan ji tinggin singnok
成人只寄望收获 情人只听见承诺
Adults only hope for success, lovers only hear promises.
為何都不大懂得努力珍惜對方
waiho dou batdaai dungdak noulik jansik deuifong
为何都不大懂得努力珍惜对方
Why don't we comprehend the need to work harder to cherish one another?
螳螂面對蟋蟀　迴響也如同幻覺
tonglong mindeui sikseut wuiheung ya yu tung waangok
螳螂面对蟋蟀 回乡也如同幻觉
The praying mantis confronts the cricket; the echoes are also like an illusion.
Shall we talk　Shall we talk
就算牙關開始打震　別說謊
jausyun nga gwaan hoichi dajan bit syutfong
就算牙关开始打震 别说谎
Even if your jaw begins to tremble, don't tell a lie.

陪我講　陪我講出我們最後何以生疏
pui ngo gong pui ngo gongcheut ngomun jeuihau hoyi saangso
陪我讲 陪我讲出我们最後何以生疏
Say with me, say aloud with me that in the end we can become estranged.
誰怕講　誰會可悲得過孤獨探戈
seui pa gong seui wui ho beidak gwo guduk taamgwo
谁怕讲 谁会可悲得过孤独探戈
Who's afraid of speaking? Who will be saddened by the lonely Tango?
難得　可以同座　何以　要忌諱赤裸
naandak hoyi tungjo hoyi yiu gei wai cheklo
难得 可以同座 何以 要忌讳赤裸
It's hard enough for us to get together, must we avoid baring ourselves?
如果心聲真有療效　誰怕暴露更多
yugwo samsing janyau liuhaau seui pa boulou gangdo
如果心声真有疗效 谁怕暴露更多
If the sounds of the heart really have a healing effect, who fears to reveal even more?

陪我講　陪我親身正視眼淚誰跌得多
pui ngo gong pui ngo chansan jingsi ngaanleui seui ditdak do
陪我讲 陪我亲身正视眼泪谁跌得多
Speak with me; accompany me to face more tears that have fallen than from anyone else.
無法講　除非彼此已失去了能力觸摸
moufaat gong cheuifei beichi yi satheuiliu nanglik jukmo
无法讲 除非彼此已失去了能力触摸
Only if the two of us have already lost the ability to touch would we be incapable of speaking.
鈴聲　可以寧靜　難過　卻避不過
lingsing hoyi ningjing naangwo keuk bei batgwo
铃声 可以宁静 难过 却避不过
The sound of a bell can be serene, yet you can't avoid feeling bad.
如果沉默太沉重　別要輕輕帶過
yugwo chammak taai chamchung bityiu hinghing daaigwo
如果沉默太沉重 别要轻轻带过
If the silence weighs on you too heavily, don’t take it too lightly.

明月光　為何未照地堂
ming yutgwong waiho mei jiu deitong
明月光 为何未照地堂
Radiant moonlight, why haven't you shone on the earthly paradise?
孩兒在公司很忙　不需喝湯
haaiyi joi gungsi han mong batseui hottong
孩儿在公司很忙 不需喝汤
I’m very busy at work and don't need to drink soup.
And shall we talk　斜陽白趕一趟
and shall we talk cheyeung baak gon yat tong
And shall we talk 斜阳白赶一趟
And shall we talk, the setting sun rushed in vain.
沉默令我聽得見葉兒聲聲降
chammak ling ngo tingdak gin yipyi singsing gong
沉默令我听得见叶儿声声降
The silence allows me to hear Yip's falling voice.

Gam Ching Sin Seung 感情线上 by Sammi Cheng 郑秀文: Lyrics 歌词

This is the theme song from the TV series "gu naam gwa neui 孤男寡女" (English title: Needing You) that appeared in the year 2000. For your karaoke pleasure.

Music Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j_hcCCRl-0

Lyrics Source:
http://www.yue365.com/getgeci/691/177567.shtml

Artiste: Sammi Cheng 郑秀文
Music: Wong Ka Sin 黄嘉倩
Lyrics: Lam Chik 林夕

一个独自在发烧　yatgo dukji joi faatsiu
另外那位唇上结冰　lingngoi nawai seunseung gitbing
负负得正 fufu dak jing
各取需要　kok cheui seuiyiu
多玄妙 do yun miu
也许　yaheui
上天不给我的 seungtin batkap ngodik
无论我两臂怎紧扣　moleun ngo leung bei jam gan kau
仍然走漏给我的 yingyin jau lau kap ngodik
无论过去我怎失手都会拥有 moleun gwoheui ngo jam satsau douwui yungyau

一个恨浪漫太少　yatgo han longmaan taaisiu
另外那边期望太多　lingngoi nabin keimong taaido
实现不了 satyin batliu
结果将会　gitgwo jeungwui
多微妙 do mei miu
也许　yaheui
上天的一对手 seungtindik yatdeuisau
移动你与我的分寸　yidung nei yu ngodik fanchyun
行前或留后这对手 hangchin wak lauhau jedeuisau
其实正要送我给你不要斗 keisat jing yiu sung ngo kap nei batyiu dau

分叉的感情线　fanchadik gamching sin
正等我为你蔓延 jing dang ngo wai nei maan yin
彼此的感情线　beichidik gamching sin
交错发展　gaaucho faatjin
怎么舍得去剪 jammo sedak heui jin
心在你身边　sam joi nei sanbin
就算隐形亦有一天遇见 jausyun yanying chek yau yattin yugin
那些感应　nase gam ying
多灵验 do ling yim
也许　yaheui
被喜欢的女人 bei heifundik neuiyan
从自信散发的光线 chung jiseun saanfaatdik gwongsin
朦胧或明艳　munglung waak mingyim
不太难望见 bat taai naan mong gin
早布满对方双手 jou bou mun deuifong seungsau
你的感情线　neidik gamching sin
看出我下个十年 hon cheut ngo hago sap nin

分叉的感情线　fanchadik gamching sin
总会有某天一起发展 jungwui yau mautin yathei faatjin
等适合时候孤男寡女会连线 dang sikhap sihau gunaam gwaneui wui lyun sin
深呼吸等适合时候一场交战 sam fukap dang sikhap sihau yat cheung gaaujin
等适合时候孤男寡女去连线 dang sikhap sihau gunaam gwaneui wui heui lyun sin
深呼吸等适合时候一场交战 sam fukap dang sikhap sihau yat cheung gaaujin

Nam Pang Yau (Boyfriend) 男朋友 by Louis Koo 古天乐: Lyrics & Translation

This song brings back memories of a time long past. It's all water under the bridge now. Most of it has faded, washed away by the river of oblivion. I've compiled the lyrics, translation and music video for your karaoke practice.

Music Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL9pNedn5hc

Lyrics Source:
http://www.lemonforumhk.com/forum/redirect.php?fid=163&tid=3297&goto=nextnewset

English Translation based on the following source:
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Flats/4828/boyfriend.html
(Note: I've made some additions and alterations to the English translation in this posting of mine)

《 男朋友 》男朋友
作詞：林夕　作曲：伍樂成

<<>> Boyfriend
Lyrics: Lam Chik
Music: Ng Lok Sing

為著舊愛　正在結疤
再也不敢多講錯話
令任何人　遺留任何牽掛

wai jeuk gau ngoi jingjoi git ba
joi ya batgam do gong cho wa
ling yamho yan wai lau yamho hin gwa

The wounds are still trying to heal from my last relationship
I don't want to say more wrong words
that will upset anyone

寂寞令我　滿臉雪花
連情感都很想放下
尤其是你　這樣愛他

jikmok ling ngo mun min syut fa
lin ching gam dou han seung fong ha
yaukeisi nei jeyeung ngoi ta

Loneliness fills my face with snowflakes
Tempting me to to let go of any love I feel
Especially you, who loves him such

回答我可不可以暫時讓我　講出感覺後
才直說你有男朋友　現在就要走

wuidaap ngo hobathoyi jaamsi yeung ngo gongcheut gamgok hau
choi jik syut nei yau nampangyau yinjoi jau yiu jau

Answer me, can you temporarily let me say out how I feel?
And then you can tell me that you have a boyfriend, that you have to leave now

回答我可不可以暫時讓我　牽牽手
我妄想的不會有
牽一牽你手　我便甜蜜夠

wuidaapngo hobathoyi jaamsi yeung ngo hinhin sau
ngo mong seung dik bat wui yau
hin yat hin nei sau ngo bin tim mat gau

Answer me, can you let me hold your hand for a little while
My wishful thinking won't happen
To hold your hand, it will be sweet enough for me

實在是我　太沒眼光
再也不敢諸多寄望
為任何人　遺留任何感覺

satjoi si ngo taai mut ngan gong
joi ya batgam jyu duo kei mong
wai yamho yan wai lau yamho gamgok

Actually it's my gross lack of foresight
I don't want to have too many expectations anymore
I don't want to leave anyone with any kind of feelings

實在沒法　努力說謊
愛我可一生都快樂
然而為你　我願意講

satjoi mutfaat nolik syut fong
ngoi ngo ho yatsaang dou faailok
yinyi wai nei ngo yunyi gong

Actually there's no way, to strive to lie
Loving me will bring a lifetime of happiness
For you, I'm willing to say it

回答我可不可以暫時讓我　講出感覺後
才直說你有男朋友　現在就要走

wuidaap ngo hobathoyi jaamsi yeung ngo gongcheut gamgok hau
choi jik syut nei yau nampangyau yinjoi jau yiu jau

Answer me, can you temporarily let me say out how I feel?
And then you can tell me that you have a boyfriend, that you have to leave now

回答我可不可以暫時讓我　牽牽手
我妄想的不會有
牽一牽你手　我便甜蜜夠

wuidaapngo hobathoyi jaamsi yeung ngo hinhin sau
ngo mong seung dik bat wui yau
hin yat hin nei sau ngo bin tim mat gau

Answer me, can you let me hold your hand for a little while
My wishful thinking won't happen
To hold your hand, it will be sweet enough for me

回答我可不可以暫時讓我講出　感覺後
才直說你有男朋友　現在就要走

wuidaap ngo hobathoyi jaamsi yeung ngo gongcheut gamgok hau
choi jik syut nei yau nampangyau yinjoi jau yiu jau

Answer me, can you temporarily let me say out how I feel?
And then you can tell me that you have a boyfriend, that you have to leave now

回答我可不可以暫時讓我　牽牽手
我妄想的不會有
握不到永久　我便甜蜜夠

wuidaapngo hobathoyi jaamsi yeung ngo hinhin sau
ngo mong seung dik bat wui yau
ak batdou winggau ngo bin tim mat gau

Answer me, can you let me hold your hand for a little while
My wishful thinking won't happen
Although I can't grasp it forever, it will be sweet enough for me

Six Words For Stupid: 蠢笨傻戆愚钝

In Cantonese there are six words for stupid. Each has a slightly different shade of meaning.

蠢 [cheun]
Stupid. Can also refer to worms wriggling.
Example: 蠢才 [cheunchoy], literally "stupid talent / talent for stupidity / stupid one".

笨 [ban]
Stupid. Can also mean foolish, dull, or awkward.
Example: 笨蛋 [bandaan (Cantonese); bendan (Mandarin)], literally "stupid egg". More often used in Mandarin than Cantonese.

傻 [so]
Silly. Also carries the meaning of stupid, foolish, or imbecile.
Example: 傻婆 [sopo], literally "silly old woman".

戆 [ngong] stupid, simple-minded
Stupid. Can also mean simple-minded in the negative sense.
Example: 戆居, 戆戆居居 [ngonggeui, ngongngong geuigeui], which means "stupid". Also used in Hokkien where 戆 is pronounced [gong].

愚 [yu]
Foolish, stupid, or doltish.
Example: 愚公移山 [yugong yisaan], a four-character idiom directly translated as "foolish old man moves mountain", but the actual meaning is "persistence overcomes mountainous obstacles". As with all these Chinese idioms you have to know the story behind to get the actual meaning, because these idioms make no sense when directly translated.

钝 [deun]
By itself, it means blunt, or dull as in a worn blade of a knife. It can also mean dimwit, dim-witted or retarded.
Example: 迟钝 [chideun], which means "retarded". Can be used for mentally retarded or developmentally retarded.

How To Use The Different Types of "A" (Ah!) in Cantonese

I typed "a" into CantoInput and it gave me the following results. As I often get confused which "a" to use at the end of a sentence (especially 呀, 吖, and 啊), I compiled the following for my study notes.

呀 Yale a1, a3, a6
1. particle used to express surprise or mild emphasis
2. slurred form of the number ten (Cantonese)

吖 Yale a1
1. used in translation

啊 Yale a1, a2, a3
1. exclamatory particle

阿 Yale a3, o1 (pronounced as "a3" as in 阿祖 a3 jou2, pronounced as "o1" as in 阿弥陀佛 o1 mei4 to4 fat6)
1. prefix for people’s names
2. used in transliteration for /a/

亚 Yale a3, nga3
1. Asia
2. second

鸦 Yale a1 (also pronounced nga1 as in 乌鸦 wu1 nga1)
1. crow

哑 Yale a1, a2 (also pronounced nga2)
1. dumb, mute
2. become hoarse

丫 Yale a1 (also pronounced nga1 as in 丫叉 nga1 cha1)
1. forked
2. bifurcation

扼 Yale a1, ak1
1. grasp, clutch
2. choke, strangle

嗄 Yale a2, sa3
1. hoarse of voice

氩 Yale a3
1. argon

娅 Yale a3
1. mutual term of address used by sons-in-law
2. a brother-in-law

锕 Yale a1
1. actinium

錏 Yale a3
1. soft steel
2. ammonium

掗 Yale a3
1. take
2. hold
3. give forcefully

厂 Yale a1, hon3, chong2 (pronounced chong2 when referring to factory, plant, workshop, mill)
1. radical 27
2. factory, plant, workshop, mill

厊 Yale a2
(can't find the meaning yet)