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Jan 15, 2010
A friendship beyond language
<!-- by line --> By Melissa Kok
Jeenathul Hadiya (right) and her husband befriended their next door neighbour - Mdm Teo Wan Geot (left), even though they come from different cultural backgrounds, and they do not speak each other's language. -- ST PHOTO: LAU FOOK KONG
<!-- story content : start --> HEY come from different cultural backgrounds, and they do not speak each other's language. Still, that did not stop Jeenathul Hadiya, 40 and her husband, Mufthajudeen Abdul Salam, 48, from befriending their next door neighbour - 74-year-old Mdm Teo Wan Geot. The couple, who migrated here from Madras 12 years ago, speak Tamil and a little English. Mdm Teo speaks Teochew and simple Mandarin. So the trio communicate with each other using sign language and basic Malay and English words. Ms Jeenathul explained: 'When I go market, I will ask her in Malay, and she will understand. I will ask have you eaten in Malay and she will respond yes. I will use sign language, and she will understand.' In the three years they have been neighbours, they have formed a strong friendship and bond, looking out for each other. Mr Mufthajudeen adds: 'My next door neighbour is very good, she is like a mother to me.' Which is why the couple fondly refer to Mdm Teo as 'Mommy'.
Watch the full story on RazorTV's mini series 'Different Cultures, One Home'.
Home > Breaking News > Singapore > Story
Jan 15, 2010
A friendship beyond language
<!-- by line --> By Melissa Kok
Jeenathul Hadiya (right) and her husband befriended their next door neighbour - Mdm Teo Wan Geot (left), even though they come from different cultural backgrounds, and they do not speak each other's language. -- ST PHOTO: LAU FOOK KONG
<!-- story content : start --> HEY come from different cultural backgrounds, and they do not speak each other's language. Still, that did not stop Jeenathul Hadiya, 40 and her husband, Mufthajudeen Abdul Salam, 48, from befriending their next door neighbour - 74-year-old Mdm Teo Wan Geot. The couple, who migrated here from Madras 12 years ago, speak Tamil and a little English. Mdm Teo speaks Teochew and simple Mandarin. So the trio communicate with each other using sign language and basic Malay and English words. Ms Jeenathul explained: 'When I go market, I will ask her in Malay, and she will understand. I will ask have you eaten in Malay and she will respond yes. I will use sign language, and she will understand.' In the three years they have been neighbours, they have formed a strong friendship and bond, looking out for each other. Mr Mufthajudeen adds: 'My next door neighbour is very good, she is like a mother to me.' Which is why the couple fondly refer to Mdm Teo as 'Mommy'.
Watch the full story on RazorTV's mini series 'Different Cultures, One Home'.
