Exemplary youths
By WONG SIANG HUMEJANE Gun Shih Ying, Kenrick Ng, Zain Putra Baharuddin and Vanessa Chan are my idea of normal youngsters who are ready to share a good laugh and enjoy their teenage life to the hilt. Cheerful, witty to the core, and alert to what is going on around them, these smart kids have a number of things in common, not least in doing well in their studies and living their passion for Scrabble.
The high-achieving foursome scored a total of 48 distinctions in the Sijil Peperiksaan Malaysia (SPM) which they sat last year, 42, of which are perfect 1As (formerly recorded as A1s), including Literature in English, a subject no student in their right mind would touch with a 10-foot pole.
I had the privilege of coming up close and personal with these incredible boys and girls after the SPM results were released. When I asked them about Scrabble and studies and how they managed to mix them so successfully I was inundated, humbled even, by their quick untutored answers.
Vanessa Chan, top student from SMK (P) Taman Petaling, PJ, has a perfect score of 11 1As in Bahasa Malaysia, English Language, Mathematics, General Science, Moral Education, History, Economics, Accounts, Additional Mathematics, Literature in English and English 1119:
“Contrary to the belief of all my aunties, I did not study 25 hours a day. I did not drink a different herbal drink everyday. And I certainly did not rearrange my room to ensure good feng shui. I merely played a whole lot of Scrabble. However, unlike Zain Putra and Kenrick, I’m not a competitive Scrabbler.
“I played the game for sheer pleasure, as I found sparring with my equally stressed-out friends was a wonderful way to calm pre-exam jitters. We did not play to win, but just to have a whole lot of fun and to derive some form of intellectual pleasure that our textbooks did not offer.
“As SPM loomed, the teachers in my school were always pleased to see a large group of us heading for the library, until one day they discovered that, contrary to their sincere belief we were studying our hearts out, we were actually sneaking out the Scrabble boards for a quick game between classes.
“The war of words is a game that I enjoy. I find Scrabble a great past-time and requires the same amount of skill and interest as a game of, say, football. Scrabble kept my mind off examinations, and yes, sometimes for the sake of your own sanity and that of others, that IS necessary. For me, it works better than any kind of pill.”
Sixteen-year old Kenrick, the top student from SMK Sultan Abdul Samad, registered 1As in 13 subjects which he sat for (Bahasa Malaysia, English Language, English 1119, Sejarah, Moral Education, Modern Mathematics, Literature in English, Principles of Accounts, Basic Economics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Additional Mathematics).
“Most students may perceive Scrabble as a word game intended to sharpen one’s linguistic aptitude. Though undeniable, I believe that playing the game competitively since a young age has developed other skills in myself, such as that of time management, the ability to strategise my moves and the ways of handling stress.
“I don’t believe in studying too much, but I do set specific amounts of work in which I want to accomplish in one day. If I don’t complete what I have set out to do, I will have to sacrifice my free time. I also think that completing one’s homework and being attentive in class are of primary importance for one to succeed academically.
“I’m of the opinion that these skills are necessary in the mental and emotional development of every individual, not only for academic purposes but also as life-long assets. As a whole, I must attribute part of my success to my indulgence in Scrabble, as it has played a pivotal role in my academic and social life in my teenage years.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank my parents, teachers and all the senior Scrabblers for developing my interest in such a wonderful and educational word game.”
Zain Putra, a schoolmate of Kenrick, was the Malaysian national junior scrabble champion in 1999 and 2001. The 16-year-old chalked up 10 distinctions: 1As in English Language, Modern Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Physics, Literature in English, and 2As in Biology, Chemistry, Bahasa Malaysia, English 1119 and Islamic Religious Knowledge).
“When asked ‘How has Scrabble helped you in your studies?’ one would invariably assume the stock answer to pertain to the English language, vocabulary and so forth. No doubt about it, Scrabble can make you look at words and study their meanings if you have the inclination to.
“I do admit that Scrabble is a mind game. It sharpens your thinking and alertness. Like chess, Scrabble develops the strategic aspect of a player’s thinking, how to utilise existing situations to one’s advantage. Many aspects incorporated into Scrabble are, amazingly, relevant in every life. Tile management, time, proper utilisation of existing resources: all these factors sharpen skills necessary in the real world. My parents have always supported me all the way in my studies, in Scrabble and in everything and I would like to thank them.”
Jane, from SMK Damansara Jaya, P J, is perhaps one of top scorers in the country, if not the top.
The vivacious lass who is now studying at Help Institute, Kuala Lumpur, is a proud owner of 14 distinctions, 13 1As (Bahasa Malaysia, English Language, Modern Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, Moral Education, Principles of Accounts, Literature in English, Bible Knowledge and English 1119, and a solitary 2A in Economics).
“I started playing Scrabble when I was five, and competitively two years ago when I was in Form 4. I participated in my very first Malaysian Junior Scrabble championship then. I remember scoring the highest bingo in the Mensa’s Scrabble Challenge and my school team putting a lot of hard work to emerge the national under-18 in the Malaysian Junior National Championship last year.
“Scrabble has taught me to reflect more on my life and assisted me tremendously in my studies. Strategy in Scrabble has sharpened my analytical skills which I readily applied to Literature in English, Economics, History and Moral Education as well as the science subjects. Playing the game has also opened my eyes to the beauty of life as I learned to expand my social circle to include newfound friends who share the same fiery desire for great games of Scrabble.
“When I am down, I find the solace and comfort I need in a good game of Scrabble. Even when SPM was lurking round the corner, I was still engrossed in the game and never turned down an offer to play. I have such an addiction for the game and even now in college, several friends and I are taking the initiative to establish a Scrabble club and making plans for an inter-college Scrabble championship.
“I hope to earn a full scholarship to pursue medicine and of course, not forgetting to spread the love of Scrabble to everyone.
“For now, I can only leave matters in the Almighty. Next time, if you think Scrabble is just another game of words, think again.”
Word power
Geoffrey Chaucer (1340–1400) was a knight of the shire of Kent, in England, who went to the Canterbury pilgrimage before he wrote the The Canterbury Tales, one of the greatest achievements in English Literature for which he is best remembered.
This explains why he seems to be so close to the tellers and the characters which he delineates with wit and humour. Chaucer wrote in Old English, some of which are still acceptable today.
Here, in italics and along with their meanings, are 10 examples from his tales.
1. In all this world there is no creature
That ete or drunk hath of this confiture, – The Pardoner’s Tale
(CONFITURE: potion: conserve, somethingpreserved as fruits in sugar)
2. For us chapmen, also God me save,
And by that lord that cleped is Saint Ive, – The Shipman’s Tale
(CHAPMEN: singular CHAPMAN, one who buys or sells, a: asn itinerant dealer: a pedlar: a purchaser: merchants)
3. That coste largely of gold a fother,
And northward in a touret on the wall, – The Knight’s Tale
(FOTHER: cartload)
4. And softer than the wool is of a wether,
And by hir girdle heng a purse of lether’- The Miller’s Tale
(WETHER: sheep, a castrated ram)
5. And by his belt he bare a long panade,
And of a swerd full trenchant was the blade; – The Reeve’s Tale
(TRENCHANT: sharp, cutting: incisive, forthright)
6. With grey goshawk on hande;
Thereto he was a good archer, – The Tale of Sir Topas
(GOSHAWK: a short-winged hawk once used for hunting wild-geese and other fowl, not having a toothed bill like the falcons proper)
7. As man that were affrayed in his herte.
– For, naturally, a beest desireth flee – The Nun’s Priest Tale
(AFFRAYED: frightened, alarmed)
8. And if I have a gossib or a friend,
Withouten guilt ye chiden as a feend, – The Wife of Bath’s Prologue
(GOSSIB: acquaintance: one who goes about telling and hearing news)
9. Had lover hir best of any creature
Two yeer and more, as was his aventure; – The Franklin’s Tale
(AVENTURE: as it so happened: obsolete form of `adventure’)
10. A fate swan loved he best of any rost,
His palfrey was as brown as is a berrye. – The General Prologue
(PALFREY:riding horse: a saddle-horse especially for a lady)
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