Distance... and how a Sabahan conveys it...

Sabahans have a unique way of letting people know just how near or far something or some place is.

Just listen to how they pronounce the words "sini" (here) or "sana" (there).

Here's a rough guide:

1. When a Sabahan simply says "sini", it means whatever he's referring to is quite near where he's at. (close by)

2. When he says "siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiini", it means he's either standing directly on top of it or pointing right at it. (extremely close by)

3. When he says "sana", it means it's quite a distance from where he's at. (further away)

4. But when he says "saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaana", be prepared to go a long way. (far, like reaaaaaaaaaaaaaally far).

Now, I only wonder who coined the expression "saaaaaana Ranau (a small town on the foothills of Mount Kinabalu)."

It's kind of a sarcastic come-back to people who ask you something you don't feel like answering (or when you just feel like annoying that person).

Something like this:

Q: Mana kau beli ni baju? (Where'd you get this outfit?)

A: Saaaaaaaaaaaaaana Ranau.

:-)

Gong Xi Fa Cai everybody!