Curve communication (reader submission)
Navigating language barriers in Thailand is a challenge for many foreigners, especially when it comes to the 'basic Thai' that many speak. Many expats and emigrants find themselves in a world where communication often requires more than just words. Atlas van Puffelen shares his experiences and reflects on the importance of language in relationships, work and daily life in Thailand.
Living like a Buddha in Thailand, part 3
You never become a Thai; heaven save us from that
Have you settled into driving against traffic, collecting plastic bags at 7-Eleven, believing in ghosts, embracing Buddhism, or getting drunk at every party? No, writes Tino Kuis. Being adjusted means that you feel comfortable, fulfilled and comfortable in Thai society. It's feeling at home.
Ask about Thai who speak English
A question for Tino Kuis (and/or anyone else who speaks fluent Thai). I have been living in Thailand for six years, speak four languages fluently and 1.000 words of Thai. So I think I know how difficult it is to master a language.
The regular Thailand-goer will probably be familiar with the term 'Thainess', but who are actually Thai? Who was labeled that? Thailand and the Thai were not always as united as some would have people believe. Below is a brief explanation of who 'Thai' were, became and are.
Sanook doesn't mean what you think, but what does?
Like 'mai pen rai', 'sanook' is a widely known and widely used Thai word. Unfortunately, the meaning is often expressed too superficially and narrowly, while a good understanding of the word 'sanook' is essential to understand the Thai mentality.
Mai pen rai
Almost certainly the first expression in the Thai language Gringo came to know was the well-known "mai pen rai". Gringo discusses the misconceptions with non-Thai about “mai pen rai”. It turns out that three syllables can cause a lot of confusion. It showed him how powerful a language can be and that using “mai pen rai” is not always correct for a good understanding.
Laos and the R of capitalism……
Listen carefully when you are in Laos. You will witness a linguistic rebirth! It is the letter R. In Laos that is special in spoken and written language. You also have it in neighboring Thailand. In popular parlance, the 'r' does not exist and the 'l' appears. Also in the karaoke; sorry: kalaake…. Hasn't many a foreigner there sung along with 'Take me home, countly loads'? Yes, from John Denvel… And of course the 'Blidge over tabbed wottel…'.
Thai wisdoms
People communicate with each other through a language. Body language also applies, of course, but I mainly mean the use of words to make something clear. This can be done in a literal sense, e.g. “I love you”, but sometimes we try to make something clear through a proverb, idiom or wisdom.
The Dutch language on Thailandblog
Thailandblog is a weblog with news, opinions, backgrounds, opinions and tourist information about Thailand. In addition to facts and news items, it also contains stories about daily life in Thailand, such as remarkable things, misunderstandings, comical incidents and a clash of cultures.
Reader Question: Why don't Thais pronounce the last letter?
My Thai girlfriend has trouble pronouncing the last letter of my name. My name is Ronald and I said make it Ronalf. Also with other words I notice that she often omits or mispronounces the last letter. Do others recognize that too? Is there an explanation for that?
Travis Touch Plus: Device that lets you learn and translate live over a hundred languages
Everyone should be able to understand each other. That is the aim of the Rotterdam startup Travis, which is therefore launching a new translation device. This Travis Touch Plus understands, translates and speaks 'live' more than 100 languages. To solve language barriers forever, there is a Travis Teacher feature in the device, which allows users to learn a new language. The Travis Touch Plus costs 199 euros.
As the owner of a hotel in the Netherlands, I immediately notice the lack of training of the staff of every hotel in Thailand.
Reader Submission: Speech Confusion
A little less, a little more? In Thai: หวานน้อย, หวานหน่อย
Reader question: On holiday to my native Thailand
Who knows a specialized travel organization in roots trips to Thailand (with demonstrable experiences). I want to go back to my native Thailand for the first time after 42 years. Next year or the year after. First save enough money because I plan to stay and travel around Asia for 3-6 months. I have to pick up my Thai passport in Bangkok too (long story).
"Him say" and other Tenglish
In the Thai language there is no room for past tense or plural. They have also deleted the nouns (masculine, feminine or neuter) and articles. Why make it difficult when it can be easy? This ensures that Thai also speak their own 'kind of' English that is always precious to listen to. For example, a sentence that begins with "Him say" can be about a man or a woman. It could be someone who is saying something now or has said something in the past.
More than one in ten Dutch people do not speak a second language, another quarter speak only two languages. Because Dutch people also visit countries where neither English nor Dutch is spoken, translation problems arise. The Rotterdam startup Travis wants to solve this by making their 'Travis the Interpreter' available now. The translation device understands, translates and speaks the 80 most spoken languages through artificial intelligence.
You can learn from emigrating
Francois and Mieke (photo above) came to live in Thailand in January 2017. They want to build their little paradise in Nong Lom (Lampang). Thailandblog regularly publishes writings from both about life in Thailand.
The Boezewush
The real Flemish is a flowery language with words that are very foreign to the Dutch. Like “boozewush”. It refers to a strange, distant and inhospitable region or place. Don't ask De Inquisitor where the word comes from, probably somewhere in a distant colonial memory when Belgium was still the proud owner of the Congo.
Lung Addie meets the KIET
Recently, while visiting the local weekly market, Lung Addie heard it again: the word Kiet. He had already become acquainted with it while shopping at the daily morning fresh market (talaad) but then paid no attention to it; after all, a person hears so many new things here.
Call: Research the language use of Thai/Dutch young people
For my bachelor's thesis Dutch Language and Culture at Utrecht University, I am conducting research into swearing among bilinguals in a monolingual society.
The 'Great Dictation of the Dutch Language'
This time I got the fright of my life. Had I been from the Netherlands for so long that these words seemed completely unfamiliar to me? Or was I listening to a foreign channel?