Siem Reap: Signs and Languages

Khmer is the official language in Cambodia. Other languages include: Vietnamese, Thai, French, and English. With the immense flow of tourists coming to Siem Reap, the need to speak other languages aside from Khmer became foreseeable. Being a tourist guide who knows more than two languages (Khmer and English) has also become one of the prolific jobs among locals. So when you go to Siem Reap and you need to hire a tour guide, all you need to do is ask for someone who fluently speaks your language. English and French are mostly requested (I think).

When we were in Siem Reap, we always walked around to look for a place to eat and a place to buy things. We met people along the way, and encountered signs that would stump my senses. While Oki and Lyn would ask for a place to eat, I was on a look-out for these signs that would make me think and review my English as I’ve learned them from my professors. As you know, I am not a native English speaker myself. When I was in college, my composition would always get all the red marks I could gather. A shame really. Until now, I am not confident with my English. And I can say that with full conviction. Wahoo!

Oki and Lyn asking for food to eat in a resto bar called The Dead Fish. Oh, the dead fish died in 1999 according to the sign. I don't like to imagine what it's like eating in a resto with a dead fish that marked its demise 7 years ago but it sure did get my fancy. A come-on or not? You will be the judge.

This resto was actually part of our itinerary because we found out that, there are Filipinos who perform here every other night. So we wanted to check it out. But on that night that we made the inquiry, the guy in front told us that the Filipino singers won't be performing until the next night. We asked for the food that they serve. But we don't fancy their speciality that much so we moved to another place. We promised to come back the next day but it rained so we just opted to eat at the villa.

This is one of the 'more profound' disclaimer in their resto.

You will not be able to ignore this even if you chose not to. A few more restaurants in the area have the same disclaimer as if having this, would ensure that what they are eating is really chicken and not rat meat. Nyahaha!

You practically have everything in this signage.

A hight (height? or high?) speed Internet, a phone to call your love ones oversea(s) and an ATS to book your next plane ticket to leave. What more do you want?

It just caught my eyes

.

I wanted a cup of coffee but then again a cup of T would be a good one too. Ah, I just love this sign! "An inspiration for your mind."

This one confused me for awhile.

"Seeing hand 4 massage"? Looks like they mixed up text messaging with the English language structure. I guess what they mean is that, they offer "blind massage" or massage done by a blind man? Am I getting it right? or not?

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It’s easy to get lost and be befuddled in a place like Cambodia, which is the same anywhere else I guess. I get lost when I am in the Philippines (can you imagine that!). And with more than 180 languages and dialects being spoken here, it’s easy to get lost in translation.

Note: I’ve always been tagged as a ‘lost person’ (literally and figuratively speaking). So here, or anywhere else, I am bound to get lost.

Should I?

Perhaps she was wondering. Am I taking the photo of the sign or hers? I decided to get them both. The message might not be sent instantly but I guess it will come through.

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Sidenotes:

I went to see two entries at the Cinemanila Film Festival last night. One entry from South Korea, No Regret and our very own entry, Tribu, which incidentally premiered last night so the moviehouse was expectedly jam-packed.

No Regret is gay film drama which tells the story of Su Min, a lad who grew up in the orphanage and went to Seoul to study art design while doing part time jobs at the factory and as cab driver. He lost his job due to layoffs and finds himself working in a gay bar. The director, Leesong Hee-il is said to be a rather well-known indie filmmaker who did several short films mostly dealing with relationships - both gay and straight. It was released in S. Korea last year in limited theaters. The movie reminds of Wong Kar Wai’s Happy Together. I saw some renowned Filipino directors who were there last night. The likes of Gil Portez, Joel Lamangan and other celebrities like Rey Pumaloy. Oh boy, it felt like Pink Festival all over again!

Tribu (Tribe) is a Filipino indie film about the gangland in Tondo, one of the most densely populated districts in Manila. Tondo is notorious for being the poorest, dirtiest, and ugliest underdeveloped place in the country. This film, with an all cast of non-professional actors, won best film during the recently concluded 2007 Cinemalaya Indie Film Festival Competition. The movie gave me goosebumps towards the latter part of film. The movie is grand, explicit and raw. It depicts severe social conditions, conflicting social issues and morals. The movie sears with the pain reality that is both vicious and compassionate. Jim Libiran, the director, is a native of Tondo.

I wonder how the foreign judges will see this film. I believe although the movie deals with the universal issues of social conflicts and poverty, the core values and culture are still contextual. That only Filipinos would truly understand. It’s rare to finally watch quality Filipino films that would really put a hole in your soul. Well, it may sound a bit of an exag, but that’s how I felt after I went out of the cinema. That is how it is with this film. See it if you can.

Having children is always one's own risk...

My children are my own risk? Good thing I don't have any.

I found this sign during a visit in a fishing village in Lawis, Calape. The sign was all over the place so I can't help noticing (and scrutinizing) it.

We had to cross a narrow bridge made of a bamboo to get to the middle of the sea where the fish cages are being tend. The bamboo creaks and sways as I stepped on it, so it's a bit wobbly getting by. Thus, the precautionary signs. Your Children Are Your Own Risk, when translated literally in Filipino: Ang Iyong Mga Anak Ay Iyong Peligro (Panganib). One gets the whole idea of the sign but reading its sense makes one thinks of other things aside from keeping your kids out of the danger zone.