learning the language

[HIDDEN]

Thanks for the offer Papaya.  I'll PM you after this post.  I'm in California, so the time difference is huge.  I do not speak Chinese.  However, I believe the use of the word "dialects" in "Chinese dialects" is quite misleading.  I'm from the U.S.  A person with a Texan "dialect" can understand one with a Boston dialect.   The Chinese "dialects" are distinct languages. It's sort of calling Portuguese and French as "European dialects."  I'm sure there are some similar Portuguese and French words, but they are different languages.  People who speak Mandarin, Cantonese, and Hokkien etc... generally do not understand each other (unless they speak the other person's "language").   However, an educated Chinese would know Mandarin (the official national language), just like any Malaysian would know Malay (the official national language). 

[HIDDEN]

Mrs PK is fluent in Hakka and can get by in Cantonese and Mandarin, but not at all with Hokkien.

[HIDDEN]

Yes, when I was in Malaysia, I was always amazed with how many languages some people can speak.  I wish I can speak some of the Chinese languages/dialects.  From my experience, many continental Europeans, Indians, and Chinese seem to be multilingual whereas for folks like me, I feel fortunate just to be able to speak 2 languages well.  When I was visiting Denmark, the family switched TV channels and watched shows in Danish, German, Swedish, English... as if it was the most natural thing.  Similarly, aside from my Chinese friends, many of my Indian friends seem to speak a minimum of 3 languages:  English, Hindi, and their own mother tongue (such as Tamil).  Amazing 

[HIDDEN]

English Greetings   Malay Greetings:
Hi!    Hi!
Good morning!   Selamat Pagi
Good evening!   Selamat Petang
Welcome! (to greet someone)   Selamat Datang
How are you?   Apa Khabar?
I'm fine, thanks!   Khabar Baik, Terima Kasih
And you?   Bagaimana Dengan Anda?
Good/ So-So.   Khabar Baik Juga
Thank you (very much)!   Terima Kasih Berbanyak-Banyak
You're welcome! (for "thank you")   Sama-sama
Hey! Friend!   Hi, Kawan!
I missed you so much!   Saya Amat Merindui Anda
What's new?    Khabar Terbaru?
Nothing much   Sama Sahaja
Good night!   Selamat Malam
See you later!   Jumpa Lagi
Good bye!   Selamat Jalan
Asking for Help and Directions   
I'm lost   Saya Tersesat
Can I help you?   Bolehkah Saya Membantu Anda?
Can you help me?   Bolehkah Anda Membantu Saya?
Where is the (bathroom/ pharmacy)?   Di manakah (bilik mandi/ farmasi)?
Go straight! then turn left/ right!   Jalan Lurus/ Kemudian Pusing Kiri/ Kanan
I'm looking for john.   Saya Sedang Mencari John.
One moment please!   Sila Tunggu Sebentar.
Hold on please! (phone)   Sila Tunggu Sebentar.
How much is this?   Apakah Harga Barang Ini?
Excuse me ...! (to ask for something)   Encik? (for male) Cik? (for female) + request
Excuse me! ( to pass by)   Maafkan Saya…
Come with me!   Maafkan Saya

[HIDDEN]

English Greetings   Malay Greetings:
One moment please!   Sila Tunggu Sebentar.
Come with me!   Maafkan Saya

Come with me = Jom, pergi, or Mari kita pergi.

[HIDDEN]

Hi Teak

Thanks for the correction. 

Cupert

[HIDDEN]

Here's a useful and fun website for those who want to learn BM.

http://www.bahasa-malaysia-simple-fun.com/index.html

[HIDDEN]

There are a few sites where learning bahasa melayu is quite easy. It is not a difficult language to learn as it uses the english alphabets.Try these sies below and I am positive you will be sppeaking lots of phrases soon.
http://pgoh13.free.fr/malay_course.php
http://www.omniglot.com/writing/malay.htm

Happy learning, soon you will be able to speak bahasa Melayu fluently.

[HIDDEN]

This is a very useful thread. Makes me realise that I know quite a few words in Bahasa Malaysia, but not many sentences!