Camni-lah is loosely transalated as ‘like that la”. Coca cola Malaysia recently used this tagline in one of its campaigns.Interestingly, many Malaysians could related to this, and don’t jump to conclusion that my comments are targeted to a specific race. I am not ethnocentric.
Camni-lah is often used in many of our languages
1. Used to ‘stop’ explaining'
Girl : How can you forget my birthday?
Boy : Busy la.
Girl : Busy with what.
Boy : Work la
Girl : So work is more important
Boy : Ya la....“Like that la”
2. Used to ‘tell you that I am not happy with your decision/choice'
Bob : Eh , you want to go Man U Game?
Mat : Don’t want la. Man U sucks
Bob : Go la, I pay
Mat : You give me money also I don’t want to go
Bob :ooohh.. “Like that la” (camni-la)
3. Used to ‘concede’ in a situation
Kim : Joe, you going to let your boss scold you like that ah?
Joe : She boss ma, let her la.
Kim : But you must stand up, if you don’t, that means you damm loser la
Joe : What to do, “like that la” (camni-la)
4. Used to ‘start’ a master plan
Sotong : Eh, how are we going to win the match?
Cicak : I don’t know la, you got any idea ah?
Sotong : Okay, ”like that la”, we first bribe the officials, then we bribe the other team. (camni-la)
There is one person whom I can think of, can make the above dialogues into a great commercial or short film, illustrating the beautiful country we leave in, and the many funny facets of life, language and lifestyle. She has touched all of us, by her masterpieces in advertising, commercial and short film.
Yasmin Ahmad is currently warded in Damansara Specialist Centre after a cardiac arrest. According to local media, she is in stable but critical condition. Please, make time after reading this blog, to pray for this great and inspirational lady.
I have many at times wrote in this blog, motivated by her ways and teachings of life, shown in her great works in Petronas commercial and my favourite all time local movie, Sepet
Get Well Soon Yasmin.
