Learning the local language and an "intellectual debate"

[bkkguy]

there is also a Thai idiom "snake snake fish fish" (ngu ngu, plaa plaa) which literally translates as "a little bit", should also get a good laugh as you seem to know idiomatic Thia, but my "ngu" pronunciation sucks so it usually fails!

bkkguy

[cdnmatt]

I don't know what the hell "fung" means, but the sentence basically translates into, "I can not speak fund I can not".

Again, I don't know what "fung" is.

[bkkguy]

I don't know what the hell "fung" means, but the sentence basically translates into, "I can not speak fund I can not".

Again, I don't know what "fung" is.

if you don't know what ฟัง (fung or fang or transliterate it as you please) means then you are missing the whole point - while you may give it a "deer in the headlights" stare most Thai people don't and I am usually saying it to Thai people rather than Canadians

bkkguy

[cdnmatt]

Ok, then what does "fung" mean?

You're saying "can not" twice in the same sentence, so at the very least it's a double negative. If people aren't looking like you as an idiot when you say that, then they're just being polite and respectful.

[cdnmatt]

Oh right, "fan", just different tones. Sorry, my bad. It's been a while for me.

Still don't know what the hell "fung" means.

[bkkguy]

Oh right, "fan", just different tones

ฟ (ฟ ฟัน - fo fan) is a consonant in the Thai alphabet and while it may modify the tone of a syllable it can't conveniently be dismissed as "just different tones" after claiming there is "no F sounding character in the Thai alphabet"

but a quick joke before I leave you to the delights of your "deer in the headlights" Thai discussions about not speaking Thai or dreaming about trips to the dentist with your various Canadian and Lao friends:

Q: What do you call a person that speaks three languages?
A: Tri-lingual

Q: What do you call a person that speaks two languages?
A: Bi-lingual

Q: What do you call a person that speaks one language
A: Canadian

though to be fair this is often also said about Brits and Aussies

bkkguy

[cdnmatt]

Yes, yes, I made a mistake.

"fon dtok" = heavy rain
farn = boyfriend / girlfriend
"mii fan dii kap" = sweet dreams, basically.


And so on. I guess I've just been blind too long, and can't remember what the F sounding Thai character looks like anymore.

Actually, thinking, I think I remember now. Starting at the bottom in the middle, it's a slight vertical curve, followed by a horizontal line across with a small downwards curve in the middle. I can't remember, but is that right?

[gerefan2]

I guess I've just been blind too long, and can't remember what the F sounding Thai character looks like anymore.

?

Is that F...as in Fake?

[bkkguy]

Is that F...as in Fake?

as I am sure cdnmatt is about to point out there is no F sounding consonant in English either - you just change the tone on the PH consonant cluster, which is why so many English speakers have such a problem booking air tickets and accommodation in Phuket (but if you are a BBC fan keeping up appearances that does not rhyme with bucket - it is pronounced fouquet!)

bkkguy

[neddy3]

Yes, yes, I made a mistake.

"fon dtok" = heavy rain
farn = boyfriend / girlfriend
"mii fan dii kap" = sweet dreams, basically.


And so on. I guess I've just been blind too long, and can't remember what the F sounding Thai character looks like anymore.

Actually, thinking, I think I remember now. Starting at the bottom in the middle, it's a slight vertical curve, followed by a horizontal line across with a small downwards curve in the middle. I can't remember, but is that right?

No