Each Tagalog word costs 5c

I remember how it was like during "my time".  In grade school, English was the language of choice, and every Tagalog (now called Filipino) word spoken would cost you 5c.  It wasn't as horrible as it sounds, mind you; at times it was even fun as classmates occasionally forget to speak in English and kids attempt to calculate how much needs to be paid, and in their concentration forget the rule and speak in the local language too!

I had 6 years of grade school and 4 years of high school.  A total of 10 years (+ a year in kindergarten).

I started University in 1987.  At that year, the constitution was revised and Spanish was abolished as an official language, and was thus stopped from being taught in school.  I was among the first batch of students who did not have to study Spanish, and I was relieved because I heard it was a difficult subject.

At that time we had fewer letters to memorize from the alphabet (made even easier by Florante's song - below).  And even fewer years to graduate and move on to University study.



There have been lots of changes since then.  For one, the Filipino alphabet expanded to include more letters.  And the current school year will now have the K-12 year programme implemented.

Kiwi Slang (part 2)

Picking up from where I left off.... this one covering D - K.

I must admit though, in the 3+ years I have been here, I haven't heard the locals use some of the words here... but most are still in circulation so good as gold!

• Dairy – corner store
• Dear – expensive
• De Facto – a couple who live together but are not married
• Ding – small dent in a vehicle
• Dressing gown – bathrobe
• Dob in – to inform the authorities of someone who is breaking the law
• Drongo – term of abuse, idiot
• Dodgy – unreliable
• Dole – unemployment benefit
• Down trou - dropping ones trousers
• Down under - New Zealand, as seen from the northern hemisphere
• Dux - the highest academically achieving student
• Duvet - quilt
• Dunny – toilet

Be Te Papa's 20 millionth visitor and win!

During the month of May, we are expecting to reach the milestone of 20 million visitors since opening in 1998. We are so excited that our partners and sponsors want to celebrate this with us, and have put together a great prize package for our 20 millionth visitor.

The prize will be presented as they walk through the door, so make sure you come and visit Te Papa during the month of May because it could be you!

continue reading at the Te Papa blog
(photo credit: Te Papa)