XMAS holidaysss~~~
The uses of Mandarin - Editorial - New Straits Times
LANGUAGE is a complex instrument of human communication, learned as opposed to genetically inherited. This fact makes it always a work in progress for as long as it is kept alive by its users. Every language is a received code recognised by the user and is largely influenced by the culture it represents. The more advanced the culture, the more intricate the language because the ideas to be transmitted are more numerous and sophisticated. And Mandarin, because of China's unbroken history that is more than five millennia old, would suggest an incredible medium by which to tap into a rich civilisation. That this country is fortunate to have such strong links to the language, especially when China is again on the rise as a global power, must count as a competitive advantage that should not be left by the wayside.
Of course, the Mandarin of old, with its enormous treasury of characters, spoke of an exclusive elite. However, it is today a simplified modern lingua franca of more than a billion mainland Chinese. As the world's second largest economy and growing, China is important as both market and producer. Trading with it then is a means to mutual prosperity. For a small country like Malaysia aspiring to be a high-income nation by 2020, China's large market is necessary to get into. Doing business there requires a command of Mandarin much more than English. Not surprisingly, Chinese Malaysian businesses have acted as vanguard in the two countries' burgeoning economic ties.
The Education Ministry's pledge to provide resources for the teaching and learning of Mandarin in national schools is beneficial at more than the levels of culture and economics. Language familiarity can enhance connections within the country's racial diversity. Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's openness is a recognition of pragmatic trends in the society. An increasing number of Malay children is becoming Mandarin conversant and the ministry's move is to a certain extent merely to meet demand. But a widening embrace of the language also opens the way to more exchange and understanding, and propels the building of a true 1Malaysia. Promoting Mandarin as a third language does not mean that certain interest groups are being pandered to. Rather, it is proffered as encouraging national unity within a uniquely Malaysian milieu of mutual regard and respect.
Read more: The uses of Mandarin - Editorial - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/opinion/editorial/the-uses-of-mandarin-1.15893#ixzz1fpVraODD
English a ticket out of poverty - Columnist - New Straits Times
I BELIEVE the argument on the need for better English proficiency was won long ago. The overwhelming majority of Malaysians, regardless of race, recognise the need for better, if not good, English.
At times, too much of our time is spent trying to put forth the argument on the importance of the language, when in fact it is no longer necessary.
Of course, there are those who continue to suggest the Japanese or Germans did well without English.
There is logic in the argument, of course, but it is flawed, opportunistic and self-promoting.
By the same perverse logic, we can also argue that the architects, engineers and builders of the great pyramids of Egypt, the Taj Mahal in India and the Great Wall of China were obviously not disadvantaged by not knowing English.
They were still able to build magnificent monuments of human civilisation.
Why should we deprive ourselves of what is generally accepted as the world's most important language for business, diplomacy, science and technology?
The world is moving so fast that we hardly have time to understand things, much less translate them, before the next one comes along.
In the real world, at least in Malaysia, it is also recognised, fairly or not, that those with good English are generally likely to fare better than those without.
There are academically-superior graduates whose upward mobility has somehow been affected by their proficiency in the language, when compared with the academically-average but with superior command of English.
It should not be the case, of course, but surveys done on employers suggest that it is the case.
I was in India recently where even in the poorest of neighbourhoods in New Delhi there were signs, painted on buildings, signboards and banners, promoting private educational facilities from pre-school to technical institutions, offering English-medium education.
There, English is seen as a socio-economic mobility tool.
For the poor, it is a ticket out of the economic morass, especially when English is the language of business and government.
But before someone comes up with examples of people who did very well in spite of their command of English, it must be noted that it is not the rule.
Just as the Japanese, Germans, etc, do not need English to prosper, there may be captains of industry who cannot speak the language.
Since we all agree on the importance of English, the only issue is how we attain it.
There are many stakeholders along the way, at times too many, trying to influence the objective this way and that.
Generally, all mean well, but most are limiting their focus just to better serve their interests.
However, here is the hard truth. While we can do many things, we have to admit and accept the fact that there is no way we can have the level of English in our schools like how it was three or four decades ago.
Even then, when the level of English proficiency was better, not everyone mastered it.
But the propensity of those who were proficient in the language to be employed in commerce and government, as well as to be in high places, made us believe that we were generally better at English.
In fact, there were more people who did not speak English well.
Those who spoke or wrote English well were generally from English-medium schools, hence the clamour by some for the return of this type of institutions.
People also see English-medium schools as not only a solution for better English, but also a cure-all for other ills, ranging from national unity to the quality of the Malaysian football team.
The never-ending debate over the use of English for the teaching of Mathematics and Science is a manifestation of the desire to have more English in school.
Many parents believe it is a good thing and the decision to revert to Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin and Tamil, unwise.
Of course, it is true that English is the dominant medium for science and technology.
Also, currently, too much energy is wasted to complain about the inability of schools or teachers to impart English language skills to our students.
That may be the case, but we must acknowledge that without the use of English as the medium of instruction in schools, the ability of most students to master the language is limited if their interaction with it is only in the classrooms.
In our system, either in national or vernacular schools, English is more of a subject than a language. Students "study" the language and sit for examinations, but do not "live" it.
No matter how much time or periods are added for the subject in school, or native speakers added to the teaching force, or even if Maths and Science are to be taught again in English, we must accept the fact that our kids' English proficiency will not be automatic.
These are all enablers and tools to get our children familiar and comfortable with the language.
I must say, if parents want their charges to have better proficiency in the language, stopping short of enrolling them in private English-medium schools, they must supplement their children's diet of English with books, movies or songs.
We must get our kids to practise English, rather than learn it.
Better English may start in school, but these days it must be promoted, nurtured and "lived" outside of the classrooms.
We can try to blame the authorities, but in the end, the finger is pointed at each of us.
Read more: English a ticket out of poverty - Columnist - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnist/english-a-ticket-out-of-poverty-1.15897#ixzz1fpRSHU9f
Laman Depan
KETUTURAN SYED DI KELANTAN, PATTANI DAN CAMPA
Orang yang terawal dan terulung membawa Islam ke Nusantara bernama Syed Husain Jamadil Kubra, seorang berketurunan Arab berasal dari India. Beliau ialah anak kepada gabenor Mala'abar bernama Syed Ahmad Jalaluddin Amir Muazzam Syah, titihan dari penghijrah keturunan Ba'alawi dari Hadramaut dari gelombang pertama. Beliau pernah tinggal selama lapan bulan di Kelantan (1350M). Semasa di Kelantan beliau telah berkahwin dengan Puteri Linang Cahaya. Puteri Linang Cahaya ialah adik-beradik kepada Cik Siti Wan Kembang atau Urduja (pemerintah kerajaan Serendah Sekebun Bunga tegar Tegayung di Kuala Krai), Puteri Cendana (yang berkahwin dengan Sultan Malikul Zahir 1, Raja Samudera-Pasai), Raja Singadiraja (atau Sultan Sulaiman Syah yang memerintah Senggora atau Songkhla) dan Raja Bharubasa (atau Sultan Mahmud Syah yang memerintah kerajaan Cermin di Pattani). Raja Bharubasa akhirnya berpindah ke Kota Jeddah (di barat daya Bukit Panau, Pasir Mas, Kelantan) setelah kerajaannya dimusnahkan oleh kerajaan Siam Sukhotai pada tahun 1345M. Dengan puteri Linang Cahaya Syed Husain Jamadil Kubra beroleh seorang puteri yang diberi nama Siti Aisyah.
Pada tahun 1355M semasa berdakwah di Campa (Kemboja), Syed Husain Jamadil Kubra berkahwin dengan puteri raja Campa (Sultan Zainol Abidin Syah) bernama Puteri Ramawati lalu memperoleh seorang putera bernama Syed Ibrahim Asmarakandi atau Syed Ibrahim Asmaro. Syed Ibrahim Asmaro mendapat tiga anak iaitu Syed Ali Murtado (ke Pattani), Syed Ahmad Rahmatulah dan Maulana Ishak. Syed Ahmad Rahmatullah dan Maulana Ishak dibawa oleh datoknya (Syed Husain Jamadil Kubra) dan bapanya (Syed Ibrahim Asmaro) ke Tanah Jawa untuk misi dakwah di sana. Di Jawa Syed Ahmad Rahmatullah dikenali sebagai Sunan Ampel, salah seorang dari Wali Songo yang mashur itu. Dari keturunan mereka berdualah lahirnya lapan dari sembilan Wali Songo atau Wali Sembilan.
Semasa di Campa Syed Husain Jamadil Kubra telah berkahwin dengan Puteri Selindung Bulan. Puteri Selindung Bulan ialah cucu saudara kepada iasterinya iaitu Puteri Linang Cahaya yang lari bersama bapanya Sultan Baki Syah yang meninggalkan kerajaan Cermin di Pattani akibat tekanan Kerajaan Siam Sukhotai. Kerajaan Cermin ialah sebahagian dari konfederasi Kerajaan Melayur yang memerintah Segenting Kra, Kelantan dan Terengganu. Dengan Puteri Selindung Bulan Syed Husain Jamadil Kubra mendapat pula seorang putera bernama Syed Ali Nurul Alam. Syed Ali Nururl Alam dilahirkan di Kelantan tetapi akhirnya membawa keluarganya perpindah ke Pattani. Maqamnya terkenal dengan panggilan maqam "Sultan Qumbul' terletak di Kampung Garak Ruwain, Binjal Lima, Pattani. Syed Ali Nurur Alam mendapat beberapa anak. Antaranya ialah Wan Abul Abdullah atau Wan Bo (salasilah kepada keturunan Sultan Kelantan, Kerabat Diraja Jembal dan Sunan Gunung Jati, salah seorang Wali Songo di Jawa), Wan Husain dan Wan Demali. Wan Demali akhirnya menjadi pembesar di Pulau Bentan bergelar Pateh Kermawijaya atau nama jolokannya Laksamana Bentan.
Syed Ali Nurul Alam juga mempunyai tiga anak lain iaitu Wan Hassan, Wan Jamal, Wan Biru dan wan Senik. Ketika serangan kerajan Siam Ayuthaya pada tahun 1445M, Wan Bo, Wan Husain dan Wan Demali dibawa oleh datok mereka Syed Husain Jamadil Kubra ke Jawa manakala yang lain berlindung di Campa. Di Jawa Wan Bo berkahwin dengan Syarifah Mudaim yang melahirkan Sunan Gunung Jati, salah seorang dari Wali Songo. Wan Bo akhirnya dipanggil balik ke Campa untuk menjawat Panglima Agong Tentera Campa bagi memerangi serangan tentera Dai-Viet (Vietnam). Dia akhirnya menjadi menantu Raja Campa yang melahirkan Wan Abdul Muzaffar. Dari Wan Muzaffarlah lahirnya salasilah Sultan Kelantan sekarang dan Kerabat Diraja Jembal, salasilah keturunan Tuan Guru Nik Aziz. Ini bermakna Wali Songo di Jawa mempunyai hubungan darah dengan kerabat-kerabat diraja Kelantan.
Para ahli sejarah telah sepakat bahawa orang-orang keturunan Nik dan Wan di Kelantan, Pattani dan Campa adalah dari keturunan Syed Husain Jamadil Kubra. Ini juga bermakna orang-orang keturunan Nik dan Wan di Kelantan, Pattani dan Campa mempunyai hubungan darah dengan Wali songo di Jawa.
p/s-seronok juga sekali sekala baca sejarah negeri kita ney..
cr to d writer ok!!!
myMetro | Tuah Baddrol, belang Apek
myMetro | Tubuh panas dengar azan
malas..malas...malas...
Sempat lagi dalam sakit kepala ni aku g layan internet jap..daripada nak tdo td, langsung tak jadik...hehehe..ni lah penangan tenet katakan..hheeehee..tapi skg ni dapat saket kepala baru lak...
baru je td ayah ngah (pak sdara yang paling cool) bawak aku makan nasi arab kat Restoran Saba..punyala banyak..seb je sedap!!!walaupun x abes makan, tp mmg sedap!!!
jap..jap..jap..pe yang ak mengarut ni???
da3..out!!!!
back to ampang!!!
Days of happiness have ended!!!!Now I'm back into the game..no more 'lenggang-lenggang'..no more stupid jokes..its time to get serious!!!hahahhaha..cant believe i said that..that is so not me..hehhhehee..
well..hoping to hear really good news soon!!waiting and hoping for miracle to happen is just killing me even after giving all out...guess it's never enough!!
be positive oniey!!!!
White Oleander by Janet Fitch
bingung!!!
getting nervous
New life is waiting ahead but all I need now is courage and faith..Life as an adult isn't that easy but that life is, right? We're learning every single time.but, I keep getting butterflies..hehehhee..
rendu untuk menulis
this would be my last sem here in UPM..semua perasaan bercampur baur...sedey, epi semua ada..rsenye aku akan ingat UPM..upm dihatikula kononnye..ahhahaahaha
dah..ak dah taknak mengarut..chow!!!
sigh~~~
saja-saja
rendu sama kawan-kawan
how make up could do magic!!!
a day of reflection~~
kemerengan sekeping jiwa
1st day of March~~
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| my adorable siblings~~ |
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| do we look alike??dont think so... |
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| the youngest one in the family..prince and princess of my heart~~ |
xdela gambar yang len nak letak..sme dalam laptop lame..so pas repair nt leh la aku letak~~~
family is the most important things in my life..i'll do anything for..
sorry because i'm not a good sister, nor i a good daughter..
but this love is always for you~~~
10 Petanda Dia Jodoh Kita
an attempt to be a Japanese???
these pictures were taken by friend, so credit to ella..she'll be wearing sari on the day of our performances. to be true, i have no such confidence to stand on the stage alone by myself.. it's burdening, challenging and in the same time, it's really interesting. i have never appear i such situation, and now i'm going to..aahhh..could feel this burden getting heavier..right now, i'm trying to stay focus, and relax and think positively~~
whatever it is, this gonna be fun..lets hope the best~~~
Oniey, gambatte be!!!
p/s- wish i could wear hanbok after this...hehehe..
101229 Baek Ji young - That woman [HD]
one of my fav song late..just finish watching secret garden and i'm totally hooked~~
great song plus great vocal..totally outstanding~~~
it's valentine~~
it brings back lovely memories of an innocent girl (at the moment la)...and now, valentine's is nothing much than a romantic day for some couples..a day of confessing, a day to be lovey-dovey and a day to start romancing..people have their own thoughts on valentine and mine is romantic.. wish i have romantic affair now, but let it be.. i dont wanna get bothered by such things, and let it happens naturally..love is such a nice and naive thing~~~
ponink..ponink..ponink..
adoyai..
the days of tears~~
The Living Art of Ikebana
close to heart
but, as long we have faith within each other, there are no boundaries we can't cross~~~
lets have some fun~~
aaaa????
Faisal Kamilah Bintang - Fantasia Bulan Madu
cant believe that this young boy has such a powerful voice.
Faisal Kamilah Bintang - Salam Terakhir
i love the way he sings. he's young but he has a lot of potential. i've been looking for the video. hope i'll find a better one and post it here~~
faisal, jjang!!
reflecting~~~
Whitney Houston I Didn't Know My Own Strength lyrics
I had no where to turn
I had no where to go
Lost sight of my dream,
Thought it would be the end of me
I thought I’d never make it through
I had no hope to hold on to,
I thought I would break
I didn’t know my own strength
And I crashed down, and I tumbled
But I did not crumble
I got through all the pain
I didn’t know my own strength
Survived my darkest hour
My faith kept me alive
I picked myself back up
Hold my head up high
I was not built to break
I didn’t know my own strength
Found hope in my heart,
I found the light to life
My way out of the dark
Found all that I need
Here inside of me
I thought I’d never find my way
I thought I’d never lift that weight
I thought I would break
I didn’t know my own strength
And I crashed down, and I tumbled
But I did not crumble
I got through all the pain
I didn’t know my own strength
Survived my darkest hour
My faith kept me alive
I picked myself back up
Hold my head up high
I was not built to break
I didn’t know my own strength
There were so many times I
Wondered how I’d get through the night I
Thought took all I could take
I didn’t know my own strength
And I crashed down, and I tumbled
But I did not crumble
I got through all the pain
I didn’t know my own strength
Survived my darkest hour
My faith kept me alive
I picked myself back up
Hold my head up high
I was not built to break
I didn’t know my own strength
http://www.directlyrics.com/whitney-houston-i-didnt-know-my-own-strength-lyrics.html
this a song that's very inspiring and moving~~i love the song so much~~
refreshing~~
Let's find the spirit back~~~
my tiring yet awesome day~~~
how can i??
dunno~~
Help me~~~~
FRIDAY
it's a good day isn't it? but not really for me..this is the day when i have class from 5-8pm.. i really hoped for no more class until 8pm, but guess it'll never gonna happen. So, we can't go against the power right? upset, but we are gonna have fun all along the class. My minor classes are when I enjoy most. We have it all there; laughter, pressures, smiles, new experiences, friendship and arguments. It sounds great right??
since it's my final sem, i have to give my all so that i won't regret for not doing what i wanted to do. let's share and express ourself better and better..
GOOOOO~~~
new year, new beginning
i'm looking forward for what this year will offer.. i guess i have to play my part as well in making it fun and worthy..
GOAL~~do i have one?? not in particular.. but i wanna graduate by the end of the sem and do all i could to finish my FYP which actually terrifying me..hhuhuhuhuhuuu...what should i do?? i could consider that as a booster right??
well, since it's new year let's have fun throughout the year and think positively ahead..
hope 2011 will create lots of new memories that will last forever..
2011, let's have fun!!!!







