Penang Hokkien still remains the most unique language amongst Chinese dialects. You have Cantonese & Mandarin which is the most spoken in Chinese language but they have same intonation in terms of usage. Hokkien on the other hand derived from so many sources that they sounded so different from different area. In some China area uses very ancient Hokkien while Taiwan has a Mandarin-slang to it. Singaporean still uses a non-slang Hokkien while Penang's version has been mutated totally into a whole new language. It is still interesting that it retained most of the basic phrase but with added terms & wordings.

* This particular blog requires a certain understanding of Hokkien to fully understand the wordings.

Mainlander Hokkien:
Pan Ji Tuah Teh = Cheap & Big Piece

Islander Hokkien:
Kheng Cheh Tuah Teh = Economic & Big Piece

Same meaning but they use different phrase. Although both are interchangable but if you use the Mainlander Hokkien phrase, most Islander are able to detect the wrong usage of a non-Islander.

Mainlander Hokkien:
Man Chiak = slow down

Islander Hokkien:
Ban = slow down

How the Islander uses loosely the above to describe slowing down.

Mainlander Hokkien:
gau = as in smart, street smart and such

Islander Hokkien:
li hai = smart as well but more official

I've never understood the term suan-siaw until recently during my years in College. Perhaps I've been mixing with the wrong crowds but somehow back in Mainland, we've never get used to the term suan siaw. Hmm, that's a few I can think of for the moment. I still never get the edge in Penang's Hokkien but hey, life's never a dull moment... to learn.