Sunday, February 3, 2008

FOUL

for sundayscribblings

I grew up in Solo, a region wellknown as an ultra-polite javanese, beside Yogya. I use to speak in polite java language to everyone.
The time I had to go to college, I had to live in Semarang. This is also a javanese region, but with more complicated people. Many people from other origins, from Sumatera, Kalimantan, and other islands.
My first impression was, the javanese language here is lil rough. My ears sometimes got itchy hearing it.
Especially among students, ooogh, so bad.
I remember a comment that a friend said, has make me completly dazed and speechless for a while. We were talking about an annoying professor. I was upset too, but to hear what my friend said has really shocked me.
He said, "dosene utege njeblug". In English: The proffessor's brain has blown up.
1. It's so impolite to say so about a professor
2. It's about the feel. You who don't know javanese language may not be able to feel it. 'uteg' is 'brain', but usually used for animals.
I thought (and still think) it was really foul.
I've been living in Semarang for over ten years now. My ears get used to hear foul words. But I try to keep myself, not to use them in my daily conversation.

5 comments:

myrtle beached whale said...

very interesting post. I enjoyed it.

Are You Serious! said...

I think it's great that you're all about being polite and kind! I hope that I can instil these same kinds of things in my children! :)

Heather said...

It's interesting to hear what different people consider foul language. I love where you said your "ears got itchy" hearing it. What a great description!

Forgetfulone said...

Interesting post. Great take on the prompt. I hear foul language here in the US almost daily, but there is nothing I can do about it. Some people just aren't polite.

sandierpastures said...

What's important is not to say it, especially in front of the kids. :-)

Thanks for dropping by my SS post earlier. I had several Indonesian friends while I was a university student in Japan.

Grace