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anguages have always facinated me, particularly when comparing how different languages work. The structure of wordings/sentences and the use of vocabulary between one language with the other often results in humor. This is simply because the creativity of expression captures the essence of meaning in one language whilst creating awkwardness in the other. There are a lot of examples. To demonstrate, I'd prefer to use my mother tongue, Bahasa Malaysia. Listed below are some words in Bahasa Malaysia for which, if translated directly and literally to English Language, it triggers laughter:1. Bandar Utama is a town in Selangor, literally means Primary Town. Why would you want to call it Primary Town when it is not?
2. Batang Berjuntai, a town in Selangor, literally means Dangling Dick
3. Batu Sapi, a name of a town, literally means Bull Rock
4. Bukit Kayu Hitam, a place in Kedah, literally means Black Wood Hill
5. Bunga Taik Ayam is a name of a flower, literally means Chicken Shit Flower 6. Burung Hantu are Owls but literally means Ghost Birds
7. Burung Kakak Tua are Parrots/Macau birds but literally it means Old Sisters’ Bird
8. Cinta Monyet means a non-serious love but literally it means Monkeys’ Love
9. Cucur Badak is a name of a Malay finger food made of sweet potato dough with spicy coconut filling. Literally it means Hyppo Fritters
10. Cucur Kodok is a name of a Malay finger food made of banana dough fried to crisps. Literally it means Toad Fritters11. Gelang Patah is a name of a town in Johor. Literally it means Broken Bangle
12. Gua Musang is a name of a town in Kelantan but literally it means Fox’s Cave
13. Hantu Raya is a name of a type of local ghost but literally it means Celebration Ghost
14. Jalan Dato Siamang Gagap is a name of a road in Seremban. Literally means Stuttering Lord Red Ass Monkey Road
15. Janda Baik is a name of a highland town on the way to Genting Highlands in Pahang. Literally it means Good Widow
16. Jantung Pisang is actually the flower for the Banana tree but literally means Bananas’ Heart17. Kacang Botol, a type of beans, literally means Bottle Beans
18. Kacang Kuda, a type of beans, literally means Horse Beans
19. Kacang Tanah are peanuts but literally means Soil Beans
20. Kakitangan means staff but literally means hands and legs
21. Kampung New Zealand exists in Pahang!
22. Kencing Manis is diabetes but literally means Sweet Urine
23. Kluang is a name of a town in Johor. Literally it means Fruit Bats24. Kota Bharu, the capital of Kelantan, literally means Newcastle!
25. Kota Sarang Semut, a town in Kedah, literally means City of Ants
26. Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia before Putrajaya, literally means Mud Delta
27. Kuching, the capital of the state Sarawak, literally means Cat
28. Kugiran is the shortform for Kumpulan Gitar Rancak, literally means Group of Fast Beat Guitarists
29. Kuih Batang Buruk, a Malay cookie, literally means Ugly Dick30. Kuih Cakar Ayam is a name of a Malay finger food made of sweet fried dough. Literally, as the shape suggests, it means Chicken Scratched Cookie
31. Kunci Kira-Kira means Balance Sheet in the financial statements. Literally it means Mathematics Key
32. Lompat Tikam, a sweet finger food from Kelantan, literally means Jump Stab
33. Lumut is a name of a town in Perak. Literally it means Algae
34. Negeri Sembilan is a state in Malaysia, literally means the State of 9
35. Orangutan literally means the Jungle Man36. Pekak Badak means badly deaf but literally, it means Hyppo Deaf
37. Pencuci Mulut means desserts but literally means mouth cleaner
38. Perak is a state in Malaysia, literally means Silver
39. Pisang Berangan, a type of banana, literally means Dreaming Bananas
40. Pisang Raja Udang, a type of banana, literally means Prawn King Bananas
41. Putting Berliung are tornados but literally it means Spinning Tits or to be exact, Nipple Twisters
42. Sekangkang Kera means a very crowded space but literally means A Distance Between A Monkey's Legs
43. Senyum Macam Kerang Busuk means a pathetic smile but literally, it means Rotten Clam Smile
44. Subang Jaya, a town in Selangor, literally means Successful Ear Rings
45. Sutradaras are film directors (If I am not mistaken) but literally it means Virgin Silk
46. Taik Itik, a sweet finger food from Kelantan, literally means Ducks’ Shit47. Tanah Air means your land of origin but when translated to English, it means Earth Water
48. Tapak Sulaiman is the starfish but literally it means Solomon’s Footprint
49. Teluk Panglima Garang is a name of a town in Selangor. Literally it means The Bay of Fierce Warrior
50. Terkejut Beruk is when you are shocked of something really bad, but literally it means Monkey Shocked
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