How low can you go?
January 18, 2008
Dear all,
While this blog does not garner much readership from many, I would still like to alert you to a book currently on the market.
This book was written by Natasha Hudson, called Puisi Indah Sri Pari-Pari – a collection of children’s poetry in Malay.
Her book contains 3 accounts of blatant plagiarism:
Kek Coklat by Natasha Hudson
Saya mahu satu kehidupan,
Kamu mahu sesuatu yang lain,
Kita tidak dapat makan kek coklat,
Jadi kita makan sesama diri.
The original ‘Cake’ written by Roger McGough
i wanted one life
you wanted another
we couldn’t have our cake
so we ate each other.
********************
Si Kura-Kura Kecil by Natasha Hudson
Ada seekor kura-kura kecil
tinggal di dalam kotak
berenang di tepi tasik
memanjat di atas batu
dia cuba menggigit nyamuk
dia cuba mengigit kutu
dia cuba menggigit berudu
dia cuba menggigit aku
dia berjaya menangkap nyamuk
dia berjaya menangkap kutu
dia berjaya menangkap berudu
tetapi dia tidak berjaya menangkap aku
The Little Turtle by Vachel Lindsay
There was a little turtle.
He lived in a box.
He swam in a puddle.
He climbed on the rocks.
He snapped at a mosquito.
He snapped at a flea.
He snapped at a minnow.
And he snapped at me.
He caught the mosquito.
He caught the flea.
He caught the minnow.
But he didn’t catch me.
********************
Mentega kuning, jelly ungu, jam merah, roti hitam by Natasha Hudson
Mentega kuning, jelly ungu, jam merah, roti hitam
ratakan tebal
katakan cepat
ratakan tebal
katakan cepat
sekarang ulang
sambil kamu makan
sekarang ulang
sambil kamu makan
janganlah bercakap
bila mulut kamu penuh
Things We Like to Eat by Mary Ann Hoberman
Yellow butter, purple jelly, red jam, black bread.
Spread it thick,
Say it quick.
Yellow butter, purple jelly, red jam, black bread
Spread it thicker,
Say it quicker.
Yellow butter, purple jelly, red jam, black bread
Now repeat it,
While you eat it.
Yellow butter, purple jelly, red jam, black bread
Don’t talk
With your mouth full!
********************
To non-Malay readers, I apologise. To those who do read Malay, you will see what I mean.
It is blatant plagiarism besides the grotesque translations. I am not a writer but I am a reader. And it is disgusting.
Read more:
January 18, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Thanks for spreading the issue.
But the seemed translated poems were only in her malay book of poetry for children, the Syair Si Pari-Pari.
No one has yet to find anything on the English poetry book so maybe you shouldn’t quote both titles. Just in case.
Spread the love
January 18, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Dear Jannah,
Noted. Have edited it accordingly although I still have my suspicions. Only time will tell.
=)
January 20, 2008 at 3:21 pm
serve her right!