Sunday, August 9, 2009

Orang-Orang Istimewa & Pembuat Kasut

Been teaching my class a story called The Elves & the Shoemaker. Trouble was, the kids didn't know what elves are and I didn't know what they are called in Malay.

T: Elves bah. Orang damit-damit!

My students looked puzzled and some were trying to suppress their laughter and started signalling towards the height-challenged boy in class.

Sigh!

T: Aah! Orang kerdil! Elves are orang kerdil in Malay!

Then a student raised his hand and criticised me for being politically incorrect.

S: Teecha, mana bulih panggil orang kerdil atau urang damit. Mesti panggil urang istimewa!

I laughed so hard but he was correct though. Congrats to their Malay teacher. Hence the title was changed to Orang-orang Istimewa & Pembuat Kasut.


Elves- Orang bunian (according to Oxford Dictionary)

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