I beg your pardon?

English is considered our second language in Malaysia. Some people can learn it fast and manage to speak it fluently and in comfortable way. On the other hand, some can still struggle after so many years of English lessons or exposure to English-speaking environment. I think I belong to the latter one. I freak when the person speaks very fast English as in no full-stop in between sentences. I stutter that I can’t think of a suitable vocabulary in my sentence at times. Hence, I can’t express well in English to this type of person. However, magically and without realizing it, I speak in such a smooth and confident way to some people whom I feel comfortable to talk to.

When I was in Australia, I had problem to catch their slang and words. Most of the time, I would say, “Pardon?” or “Sorry?” Sometimes, I was so shy to say too many times of sorry or pardons. In order to polish my listening to their English, I started to listen to radio or watch their TV programmes. Funny thing is I found it easier to catch their words in radio or TV but in reality, I still faced the same difficulty at times. I guess I need years to get used to their slang.

Back in Singapore, I noticed some speak very fast English like a shooting gun, as if they are rushing for reincarnation, especially those who call to promote credit card or any bank services. The other day, I had phone interview with a visa agent. He spoke like a bullet train – fast and non-stop. I had to stick my ears very close to the phone and pay full attention to him while my heart was beating as fast as his speed. I wonder what is the point then for this kind of communication. Showing off his fluency of English? Or perhaps he had been repeating the same things for too many times till he didn’t realize he was actually chanting but not talking?! Or is it really my problem in listening? Well, I just knew he would definitely get even more frustrated if my response was “Pardon?” in the end of his long speech! What for?!

Though I agree that my English is still far ahead to get improved, getting clear and understandable messages conveyed to the other party is yet as important as learning the language in a communication or conversation. As the old saying goes, never afraid of growing slowly but be afraid of standing still. So I say, never afraid of speaking slowly but be afraid of people asking “Pardon” many times in the end of your conversation.