Post by thread:[OT] Resources for learning Thai language

Anyone know any good CD / DVD / book for learning the Thai language? I want to learn as colloquial Thai as I can -- I specifically don't want to learn "proper" Thai. To give you an idea of what I mean, take the following "proper" English sentence: [I would have] thought it was [because] of the money in contrast to a more colloquial form: [I'd a] thought it was [coz] of the money I want to speak it just like the natives do.

I know from learning Finnish that really the only way to get to the colloquial language is through the standard language. Finnish, for example, has the standard spoken language, official written language (newspapers, TV, etc), and something like 7 or more major dialects. German, on the other hand, if I understand from my 5 years living there, doesn't deviate too much from the standard grammar. Different regions, however, have different pronunciations and accents. (Is that right?) Are you sure that there is a big difference in Thai from "proper" to "colloquial"? I have a book on Thai language that I bought there, but I haven't read it, and I've not idea whether it is good or not. I'll have a look and if it mentions dialects or colloquial language I'll let you know. {Original Message removed}

Yes, you'll need to spend as much time as possible on "the beach". (-: -----Original Message----- From: spam_OUTpiclist-bouncesTakeThisOuTmit.edu [.....piclist-bouncesKILLspam@spam@mit.edu] On Behalf Of Alan B. Pearce Sent: 30. kesäkuuta 2008 12:36 To: Microcontroller discussion list - Public. Subject: Re: [OT] Resources for learning Thai language > >in contrast to a more colloquial form: > > [I'd a] thought it was [coz] of the money > >I want to speak it just like the natives do. The only way to learn the native way of speaking is 'immersion learning' where you go and live with them.

> German, on the other hand, if I understand from my 5 years living there, doesn't deviate too much from the standard grammar. Different > regions, however, have different pronunciations and accents. (Is that right?) As far as I know Swiss German is closer to Platt Deutsch while the one spoken in Germany is Hoch Deutsch. Anyway, I think they can pretty much understand each other, at least my father did not have a problem in Swiss :-) And of course each region has it's own use of phrases and words that other doe not know or use different, but it's pretty much like the same in every language I guess. Anyway, I know a 10 years old girl who learned English in a practical way - she came here in Ireland and went to the school without knowing a word, one year later she spoken like a native, expect she could not understand if you say "I would like to go...", but "I'd like to go" - which is weird to me. Tamas On Mon, Jun 30, 2008 at 11:16 AM, Lindy Mayfield <lindy.mayfieldKILLspamssf.sas.com> wrote: {Quote hidden}> I know from learning Finnish that really the only way to get to the > colloquial language is through the standard language. Finnish, for example, > has the standard spoken language, official written language (newspapers, TV, > etc), and something like 7 or more major dialects. > > German, on the other hand, if I understand from my 5 years living there, > doesn't deviate too much from the standard grammar. Different regions, > however, have different pronunciations and accents. (Is that right?) > > Are you sure that there is a big difference in Thai from "proper" to > "colloquial"? > > I have a book on Thai language that I bought there, but I haven't read it, > and I've not idea whether it is good or not. I'll have a look and if it > mentions dialects or colloquial language I'll let you know. > > {Original Message removed}

I can send you some links to commercial CD courses after the coming weekend. However there is really little to be gained from any of them. A) You must have face to face tutoring unless you only want to learn to read and write. B) You have normal Thai and Royal Thai, no in between to speak of. Normal Thai in Bangkok does not equal normal Thai in the south ... or in the northeast ... or anywhere else. C) Learning the language without learning the culture is virtually useless ... far more useful to learn the culture and the mindset first, then the language if necessary. D) Look first where you live for a nearby Chinatown, then the Thai community within, then the Buddhist Wat (temple) within that. There you can no doubt book lessons. You want to learn ONLY from the normal Thai school curriculum because that is the only source of vocabulary you will find that is based on Thai culture and customs ... most everything else cowboy Thai suitable only for the bars and brothels. Academics and missionaries spend one year in full time language training to prepare for the Thai government 6th grade literacy exam ... when they pass that, they are somewhat qualified to begin learning :-)) Regards/Roger, in Bangkok Exercise 1, literal translation of popular Thao colloquialism ... "speak go, speak come, no fall down". What does it mean? Regards/Roger, in Bangkok On Mon, Jun 30, 2008 at 4:56 AM, Tomás Ó hÉilidhe <.....toeKILLspam.....lavabit.com> wrote: {Quote hidden}> > Anyone know any good CD / DVD / book for learning the Thai language? > > I want to learn as colloquial Thai as I can -- I specifically don't want > to learn "proper" Thai. To give you an idea of what I mean, take the > following "proper" English sentence: > > [I would have] thought it was [because] of the money > > in contrast to a more colloquial form: > > [I'd a] thought it was [coz] of the money > > I want to speak it just like the natives do. > > > > > >

look left and right before crossing the street? -----Original Message----- From: EraseMEpiclist-bouncesspam_OUTTakeThisOuTmit.edu [piclist-bouncesspam_OUTmit.edu] On Behalf Of Roger, in Bangkok Sent: 30. kesäkuuta 2008 17:45 To: Microcontroller discussion list - Public. Subject: Re: [OT] Resources for learning Thai language Exercise 1, literal translation of popular Thao colloquialism ... "speak go, speak come, no fall down". What does it mean? Regards/Roger, in Bangkok

Lindy Mayfield wrote: > look left and right before crossing the street? > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: @spam@piclist-bouncesKILLspammit.edu [KILLspampiclist-bouncesKILLspammit.edu] On Behalf Of Roger, in Bangkok > Sent: 30. kesäkuuta 2008 17:45 > To: Microcontroller discussion list - Public. > Subject: Re: [OT] Resources for learning Thai language > > > Exercise 1, literal translation of popular Thao colloquialism ... "speak go, > speak come, no fall down". What does it mean? > > Regards/Roger, in Bangkok > > Walk and chew gum without killing oneself? -- Regards, Stephen D. Barnes

You're the closest Rolf. It's actually a very common English (US at least) as well. "All talk and no action"! I use it fairly often, especially when dealing with NGOs:-) Once you understand it, it does make quite good sense ... or at least it does to me. Life here is rich with such expressions and ancient as well as modern proverbs. I'm not very traveled but it seems to be the norm in southeast Asia anyway. And locals have great fun playing word games with foreigners (farang, or literally guava!), especially when there is a perceived degree of arrogance or impoliteness on the part of their target. All good natured fun for the most part though:-) RiB On Tue, Jul 1, 2008 at 12:23 AM, Rolf <RemoveMElearrTakeThisOuTrogers.com> wrote: > Stephen D. Barnes wrote: > > Lindy Mayfield wrote: > > > >> look left and right before crossing the street? > >> > >> > >> > >> {Original Message removed}