Poot Pasa Thai?

[klong]

Do you speak Thai? If you do then I admire you.

When I first got to Thailand it was most difficult for me to understand why all of these expats who had been living here for a while failed to speak the language. After 4 years and trying to learn to speak Thai, I have thrown the towel in. I will never be anywhere near fluent in this language. The lessons I took helped a little but very little.

Certainly some people learn languages much more easily than others but I am not one of them. And, this tonal thing is most difficult for me to handle. I think that I am saying the word correctly but Thais do not understand me at all. This is not even addressing the written language which is impossible for me.

So, I have finally accepted that I will never be able to "speak" Thai.

[lukylok]

I don't speak thai - yet !
But I try very hard, and try to study one hour/day. It keeps my little grey cells busy. I'll put it to the test in July but I start exchanging mails with my friend in thai.
Apparently you tried to learn without learning to read and write, I did that too, but it is impossible.

And if I succeeded in mastering ancient greek 55 years ago, there is no reason not to try to master another alphabet.

I think anyone can learn another language, there must be a need and a will. And the more languages you speak, the easier it is to learn an new one. Though I admit
thai is a tough nut !

Don't give up !

You know I'm glad to hear you both saying that almost as I'm so tired of walking into somewhere, a bar or wherever, maybe saying Sawatdee Krap or something and then talking on in English and after a while the guys ask "do you speak Thai ?" and when I say no they instantly and without missing a beat look at me strangely and slightly agitated perhaps and say in all seriousness "why not !?") and I always feel like I must be the only farang left not making the effort or something.

I do explain to them that in any given year I may travel to many different countries but only for a few weeks at a time and so to learn all the languages would be impossible ( or too much like hard work more like) but they never get it and just look a a bit annoyed and then usually say "ok, no pobblem, I teach you" making me feel even more stupid !

Actually I've always wondered about the whole walking in somewhere ( in any country) and saying hello / hello how are you or whatever in their language and then INSTANTLY switching back to English as the more I think about it if a tourist was to walk into a shop here in the UK and do that you would think "well why did you start talking to me in english for two words and then switch to Thai / French whatever when you obviously can't speak English" in retrospect I think whilst i know it's meant to be you showing your making some effort etc but in reality I think it just makes the person look more like they're a bit nuts ! lol - Anyone else concur ?

I think it is great that some of the younger as well as some of the older falang make an effort to learn the language here in Thailand. I know some basic things, nothing too much and I do have to admit that I probably know more bad words than good words (I think most frequent visitors of any country somehow pick them up first) but I am old, tired, sick and I just don't have the want and will to learn another language. Sorry. The way I look at it, English is a basic language and while I am visiting, if they want to earn my baht then they should also make a concerted effort to communicate. I always urge my boys to learn and understand English so that when I am no longer here to help them, that they can move on and earn a decent wage in a business that is customer orientated and that English skills are certainly a plus even if they only remain a boy in a go go bar. Customers are thrilled when a boy can speak English rather tha sign languaging all night!

[joe552]

I think there's a difference between those living in a country, and those who only visit for a couple/few weeks a year. I only know a few words of Thai, and most of my interaction there is with people who speak some English. But for those who live there, I think learning the language must enrich the experience a great deal (as well as earning brownie points with the boys).

[anonone]

I can speak a little bit of Thai. More than Sawatdi Krap, but much less than a discussion of quantum physics would allow. 555

I tried the RosettaStone route at first, but it is not great. Picked up some words and got some basic understanding, but not effective to learn to speak. The different tones are not captured well.

I have been taking weekly lessons (1 on 1) with a Thai teacher from Bangkok using Skype. Much more effective. Instant correction of tones. Also, I have learned a bit of non-book stuff since I can ask questions about how sentences are really structured in casual conversation, slang, etc.

Progress is slow as only 1 hour a week exposure is just not enough. As with any language, being immersed with it by living there makes it "stick" in the brain.

I agree that it is not particularly necessary for a visitor to speak Thai. For whatever reason, English has become the default language around the world and you can certainly get by with English in Bangkok or Pattaya. Away from the tourist cities, not so much. I do think it also helps empathize with a Thai trying to learn English.

In my experience, it has been very rewarding and I hope to get better as time goes on. It does open up the chance to learn more about Thailand. Even at my basic level, it is sometimes rather fun to hang out in a beer bar for a couple drinks and just listen to the boys chat...especially if they do not know I can understand some of what they say.... Of course, some of the time it is Isaan dialect, which I have no clue about.

[lukylok]

When there is a need, you learn. I bet that if you had to live 3 months in an isolated corner of Thailand, without anyone who spoke your language, you'd be fluent.
( That's the way I learned english and german, admittedly I was much younger ! )
There is also the fact that english ( and french) speaking people expect the world to speak their language. Old imperialistic and colonial atavism ? :dontknow:
If you say : I pay, it's up to you to understand me, that's all you'll get : money relation and lip (sic) service !
Why should one party make all the efforts ?

And there is a real intellectual pleasure in using another language !

Don't discourage me, I need all my willpower to continue studying ! :love4:

OH no! I wasn't trying to discourage you in anyway. No no no. I was just saying why I don't. Yes, I understand that it is great that I do know some words and sometimes, very seldom, I can catch a word here and there and listen to the expressions and all and I usually can summarize what they are saying. I like having someone who is fluent with me as I can get the translation from them and they don't know my friend speaks the language well. Yup it does have it's benefits to know their language but then they switch to some other dialect if they don't want you in on their scheming! :sign5:

The only time im interested in a Thai boy opening his mouth is so I can put my cock in I certainly dont want his opinions I can listen to enough ignorant native English speakers for that besides Thai humor is all slapstick and that doesnt interest me one little bit so all in all I wont be bothering to learn more Thai expressions than How much and How old if I lived in Thailand thers enough old boars at Dicks Cafe for company.

[christianpfc]

This is not even addressing the written language which is impossible for me.
For me, all foreign languages are easier in their written from.


in retrospect I think whilst i know it's meant to be you showing your making some effort etc but in reality I think it just makes the person look more like they're a bit nuts ! lol - Anyone else concur ?
I agree. I don't do half things. Learning a few words or sentences doesn't make sense. I always cringe when Thai boys send me messages (translated online) in German or French because I know they don't know what they are saying. Just today I had "bong chu" which took me a second to recognize as "bonjour". (Strangely, some boys on camfrog think I look French and translate their message into French until I reveal that I am German and can read Thai.)


And there is a real intellectual pleasure in using another language !
Absolutely! That's why I started to learn Thai in December 2010. I had eleven weeks in Thailand which was too much to just be idle, so I took Thai language classes (full story here: post241525.html (http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum/post241525.html)). This lead to the strange situation that I walked past DJ station in the morning on Sala Daeng skytrain station, but couldn't go at night because I had to get up early the following day. Then I found out how to use busses and that they are much cheaper than skytrain and subway.

Now, back in Europe, my mind is occupied with Thailand. I can either study Thai language or surf the web for gay porn. Easy choice!

But I slowly reach a level where it would be advantageous to continue my studies of Thai in Thailand, but it's insufficient to apply for job that require Thai language skills. On the other hand, I have to think if it's usefull to invest more time (approximately 1 hour per day since I started), especially as my listening and speaking skills don't improve without practise with a partner (whereas I can improve my reading skills alone).


The only time im interested in a Thai boy opening his mouth is so I can put my cock in I certainly dont want his opinions
A recent survey asked 100 sexually active men what they most enjoyed
about a blow job......
99.9% of them said, 'The 10 minutes of Silence' !!!!!

[kjun12]

The only time im interested in a Thai boy opening his mouth is so I can put my cock in
Wow. You sure sound like one low-class asshole.

[colmx]

When there is a need, you learn.
I remember an ex-member of this board (the much missed KQ) telling me this one night, about his real life experiences...
Before his incarceration he spoke practically no Thai...
But after being locked up (first time around) he picked up very quickly what was needed to keep himself going on a day to day basis... including enough words to be able to crack a few jokes!

[colmx]

I have been taking weekly lessons (1 on 1) with a Thai teacher from Bangkok using Skype. .
Hi Anonone
how much do you pay per hour?
And how are the payment arrangements done?
Are you happy with this service?

[anonone]

I have been taking weekly lessons (1 on 1) with a Thai teacher from Bangkok using Skype. .
Hi Anonone
how much do you pay per hour?
And how are the payment arrangements done?
Are you happy with this service?

$12 US per hour
Payment by Paypal in US dollars, so true $12 cost to me.

Happy with the service...hmmm
The teacher is very good. Excellent English and skilled in teaching Thai. There are some occasional technical issues, I think mostly caused by slower Thai internet speeds.

Overall, It is a great starting point. At first, there was a lot of progress. I am happy I have done it, but after 6 months I think I have gotten about all I can out of it.
I don't have the dedication displayed by Christian, and without regular practice I don't see myself progressing much further. I should practice more with the BF, but we both get frustrated and end up reverting back to English most of the time.

I would recommend it for specific purposes. Very effective for a quick jolt of often used phrases and vocabulary for someone new to Thai. It is great to have tones and sentence structure corrected on the spot. I do not think it would take the place of in-person instruction, especially in Thailand where there is ample opportunity to practice and hear Thai all the time.

[Richsilver]

I read and speak Thai quite well, mostly studying in America before I moved to Thailand 9 years ago. Of course since then my Thai has greatly improved. I can tell you it has definitely been worth all the effort. It is very rewarding to be able to carry on a conversation with the boys and with others I encounter. And reading is a great help in improving the vocabulary (I try to read every day).

[fountainhall]

The only time im interested in a Thai boy opening his mouth is so I can put my cock in I certainly dont want his opinions I can listen to enough ignorant native English speakers for that besides Thai humor is all slapstick and that doesnt interest me one little bit so all in all I wont be bothering to learn more Thai expressions than How much and How old if I lived in Thailand thers enough old boars at Dicks Cafe for company.
I hope this post is treated with the utter contempt it deserves.

[a447]

I can speak a number of languages - including 2 fluently. if you learn one foreign language you can pick up others easier, but must admit I am having trouble with Thai. It's those darn tones! Often, when attempting to speak Thai I get that look - you may recognise it...the "what the fuck is he trying to say??" look of total confusion. I stand there and go through the tones, one by one, hoping they will eventually recognise the word. They never do. :(
I have one or two goes at a restaurant and then just point to the menu in despair. Once I thought I had ordered water but ended up with fish sauce....lol

I bought yet another How to Speak Thai book the other day and, thanks to the CD, have been able to recognise 2 phrases my Pattaya guy used over and over again. La Gorn and Pit wah. Such simple words.
Now I have a question - when to krap and when not to krap. Do I add it to every sentence when I am speaking to a bar boy?? Or just now and then? Or just to older people? Do friends add it, too, or do they just drop it? I am thinking of the situation in Japanese when, after you become familiar with someone, you drop all the polite stuff and end the sentences with different verb forms. Is Thai the same?? I mean, surelyu family members don't krap and ka each other, do they?

[cdnmatt]

Now I have a question - when to krap and when not to krap. Do I add it to every sentence when I am speaking to a bar boy?? Or just now and then? Or just to older people? Do friends add it, too, or do they just drop it?

Don't say "krap" to bar boys, friends, family, etc.

Hmmm.... think of it as meant to show respect during polite, formal discussions. This could be with an old lady you run into, the hotel clerk, taxi driver, etc. If you're just sitting around having a beer with a friend though, you don't use "krap".

[Dboy]

Why Thai (or any 2nd language) seems difficult/impossible, and how to improve your odds:

1) If you are staying in a tourist area, you will be able to easily avoid the pain of using Thai...that's a problem.
2) Don't be one of those "I don't care about the written language, I just want to speak it". The way you learn vocabulary is by reading the target language.
3) Thai characters look "weird". Learn the characters according to frequency of usage...not in dictionary order, because some characters are not used at all anymore, AND its much more efficient to learn that way
4) don't assume you will learn much in language school. It's fine to go to language school, but you will learn the language by using it, not by studying it.
5) try learn vocabulary and phrases by subject area or by grouping into themes or lists of related words..for instance the р╣Гр╕И "jai" words (there's a long list), stuff you say in the markets, the classifiers, compass directions/streets/roads/towns/provinces, etc.
6) use NEW resources that are available for free...youtube, blogs, skype, etc
7) spend more time with Thai people, less time with farang people...most of your farang friends will unable to speak Thai and some will even discourage you from learning it (jealousy)
8) write stuff down; spiral notebooks, notecards etc. I have a stack of spiral notebooks and notecards now, built up over a 7 year period. Thai vocabulary, phrases, sentence diagrams, etc.
9) learning a foreign language seems impossible because the goal is often not understood clearly. The goal is NOT to become a Ph.D. The goal is to get your ideas across in the target language.


Dboy

Now, back in Europe, my mind is occupied with Thailand. I can either study Thai language or surf the web for gay porn. Easy choice!


An easy choice indeed - and so the reason why I'll probably never be learning Thai then it seems :-) lol

[RichLB]

I, too, can now speak passable Thai. I continually insist that it is not a difficult language. I am far from fluent but can carry on a decent conversation and joke with Thais and understand overheard conversations. For those living here, I encourage you not to give up. And, certainly don't wait until you think you speak Thai perfectly before you start talking to folks. Sure, the tones are difficult, and I murder them and but most Thais understand me. Dpn't let them stop you from conversing. It might also motivate you (and surprise you) to know that the average speaking vocabulary (not actual vocabulary) of the average high school graduate in the US is only 3000 words. Assuming Thais are not any more articulate that's not a major chore to learn the same number of Thai words (less than 10 a day). And, trust me, once you start talking to Thais your vocabulary and grammar will mushroom. Bottom line...don't get discouraged and learn Thai. It's not hard and it's fun.

[painai2]

Why Thai (or any 2nd language) seems difficult/impossible, and how to improve your odds:


7) spend more time with Thai people, less time with farang people...most of your farang friends will unable to speak Thai and some will even discourage you from learning it (jealousy)


Dboy
This one is true if you live in Pattaya.

[christianpfc]

It might also motivate you (and surprise you) to know that the average speaking vocabulary (not actual vocabulary) of the average high school graduate in the US is only 3000 words.

A good point! I assume most people lear Thai to speak and listen (but of course it's usefull to be able to read and write as well), unless there are some amongst us who are interested in reading Thai newspapers or Thai authors in original. Everyday speaking (and messages on MSN, SMS, camfrog, facebook) uses a considerably smaller vocabulary than written material (newspaper, novels, blogs and forums I read). (Generalisation from my observations in the English language.)

One further advantage might be that there are Thai boys who really do not speak any English, so you cannot fall back on English (e.g. I am currently working in France, but my colleages are either non-French or the French speak English as well as I speak French, so I largely speak English because it's easier for me.)