Speak Your Roots

Tag: khasicolloquialisms

  • Ïoh motion

    The phrase "Ïoh motion" is an example of a humorous Khasi colloquialism where the Khasi word "Ïoh" has been combined with the English word "motion".

    "Ïoh" means to get and "motion" (literally momentum) symbolically refers to the motivation for something. "Ïoh motion" may be described as a sense of enthusiasm and the impetus a person feels in order to do something. For instance, feeling happy and motivated after a good conversation or after having a delicious meal 😂😂 Thus, "Ïoh motion" is usually associated with doing and completing a task at hand.

    In a Khasi sentence, it may be used thus:

    "Ani hadien ba ïa kren bad i Pa, nga ïoh motion ban pyndep syndon ïa ka shna kali."

    "Ïoh motion" is an interesting example of "Khalish", the combination of English and Khasi, in a way that the English is modified to suit the Khasi language.

    It is interesting how the merging of indigenous languages with English is happening around the world and shows the development and evolution of language. For Shillong, Meghalaya this is present mainly in urban areas where people use English daily in their communication with others.

    Khalish in particular leads to funny phrases and jokes which have a distinct ring and flavour to them. Though there will be many critiques, this phenomenon is here to stay and seems inevitable in the evolution of language.

  • Sming Smong

    This is a satiric take on a Khasi colloquialism 😄

    "Sming Smong" is a dangerous disorder afflicting convent-educated/ foreign-returned/ YouTube fixated youths and grown-ups alike, who are often compelled to speak in English or Khalish when in the company of others and having a strong sense of one's own merit and a poor concept of the worth in others. The ailment mysteriously disappears when the individuals are not in a situation where they feel threatened or feel the need to show-off. Smings smongs are often at odds with the majority.

    Kane ka dei ka jingthoh biria mo 😄

    Ka "Sming Smong" ka dei ka jingshitom kaba ma kaba ju wan ha kiba leit skul konben, kiba wan phai na ri nongwei, ki samla kiba sahkut ha ka jylli ka YouTube bad kiba lah heh lah san ruh kumjuh; kibym lah khlem kren da ka phareng ne Khalish haba don bad kiwei bad kiba don bha kata ka jingsngew sarong ïa ka jinglah lajong bad ka kheiñ troiñ ïa ka bor jong kiwei. Kaba lyngngoh ka long ba kane ka jingpang ka jah rngai haba kine ki briew kim sngew donkam ban put turoi ïalade ne ban pyni ïa ka jinglong "riewshai" jong ki ha kiwei. Bunsien ki sming smong ki ju long beit kibym ïahap ne kiba marpyrshah ïa u babun balang.

    Over the years "Sming Smong" which is loaded with sarcasm, has become a colloquialism in Khasi conversation, referring to someone who has "perhaps" (air quotes please) lost his or her Khasi distinctness because of western conditioning 😁😂😅

    Ngi dei ki sming smong lut baroh, mano ba lah ban len 😅😁😂
    Kane ka jingthoh ka thew ïa ngi shuwa ïalade bad lada phi don kitei ki jinglong ba la kdew haneng, kata ka mut phi lah pang sming smong 😆🤡🤣

    Khublei Shikhohtyndaw ïa i Dr. Ellerine Diengdoh iba la phah ïa kane ka sming smong post. 😂😂🤓 Phi te phi lah nang palat!

    🟡 Khasi translation by @speakyourroots

  • Maloi

    The Khasi word "Maloi" has come to gain the status of an urban slang in common parlance. "Maloi'" actually means the coconut shell and "Maloi khlieh" means the skull. Nowadays the word "Maloi" has gained a different meaning altogether implying the fun, laughter and crackpot experiences shared between friends. Besides this, the word is also used when someone says something silly or stupid like: "Nili uto uwei te lah maloi shisha phi." It is also used as a term of endearment between friends: "Ei maloi!" "Oi malois!"

    The Khasi word "Maloi" has attained a life of its own and is now used widely in conversation between friends and family 😂😂😂 Don't we love our Malois! ❤️❤️❤️🤡🤡🤡🤡

    Tag your Malois! 😄😄