English is not our home language. Not our mother tongue. But somehow it allows many users who would never be caught saying those grey words in Bahasa Melayu (aka Bahasa Malaysia). Happily they can chomp and spit those words out as if they are born with it.
Two days ago I had two young ladies (sisters, I found out later) charmingly discussing a soap and its uses. The soap contained the herb "sirih leaves" (Pun leaves for my British Sisters). The younger girl said ... oh this soap is also good for washing the p---- region. Shocked, I asked ... what did you say? ... and as smooth and cool as a cucumber she repeated ... the p---- region. The v----- she elaborated.
Wow ... try saying that again in Bahasa Melayu ... I said. Oh no. Not in BM. Malu lah (I would be embarrassed) to say that in BM ... she laughed. In English okay ... not our language ... it does not feel bad ... she continued.
So what do you do ... I enquired ...
Am a student ... and am off to Manipal Medical College in India tomorrow ... she answered sweetly.
Oh you're a medical student! That's why those words are so smooth on your tongue ...
The both of them laughed, extended their hands to me and said ... SELAMAT BERKENALAN! ... to this "as old as their mother" lady! Sweet ... In these days of couldn't care less nobody says "Selamat Berkenalan".
*Grey words - vulgar ... own defined.
*SELAMAT BERKENALAN! - Pleased to me you!
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