From my knowledge I think it could be a very difficult language to learn especially if you intend to write it.
From my knowledge I think it could be a very difficult language to learn especially if you intend to write it.
The best time to learn a new language is when you're young which, if you're planning your retirement, you aren't ... relatively speaking.Originally Posted by Dani69
I've been making the effort , but using a different alphabet and having to deal with the dreaded TONES when speaking & hearing the language, make it even more difficult. I'm not trying to discourage you. It is a good idea to try. Even if you can manage only a little Thai, people will appreciate the effort you make. But it can be difficult and frustrating, especially when you learn a little Thai but no one understands you when you try it out.
There are some good references for learning materials here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Programs- ... 32352.html
and more generally here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thai-lang ... 60c3836541
but I would suggest you NEED a native Thai speaker as a teacher helper. Obviously the largest supply of same is here in Thailand, but in Southern California you might find a few too. Getting the tones right is tough, but important and a good Thai teacher is the best way to do that.
Once you're here, if you can manage to use just a little everyday, you can start to build on that.
Your message seems to imply you haven't been to Thailand before ??? Or maybe I'm misreading that.
If you've not lived outside the US before and/or have spent no time in Thailand, please proceed slowly. Keep your life in the US intact and plan to spend 3, 6 or 12 months here in rented accomodation before you make any irreversible decisions. Some people (like me) love it and are quite content to spend the rest of their lives here. Some people think they'll love it and become disappointed in their decision to take up residence and rapidly descend into an unhappy, bitter world of regret, splitting their days between alcoholic intake and complaining non-stop about everything in the country. Even if you've spent short holidays here, you really need to experience 6 months to a year as a non-tourist to decide if it's for you. That could also be a good time to get into learning Thai.
i know many retiree's in thailand, who between them much thai is not known nor used, its no surprise that they get along just fine, thai people learn english in school & then as there are so many falang around learn even more of the language, so just to let you know you will get by fine
i love you, i miss you.............. i lie you
A Very Lucky Guy ! :clown:a twit, but I'm a pretty flexible guy even outside the bedroom
Learning the language would give you a definate edge if yu decide to live in LOS. It is a very tonal langaue and I have tried on several occassions to learn it. I make good progress but then loose everything when I go home and when I return have to relearn all over again. Unless I am there for extended periods of time I find myself just getting by learning a few popular sayings.
Relationships are much the same. Long distance relationships just don't work. I tried to have a relationship for 4 years only to find I was one of many trying to have one with the same guy. Now I butterfly but have a few favorites I see alot.
Learning Thai is definitely one of the more difficult languages to learn. However, if you are retired and living in Thailand you have no excuse for not learning the language. It makes it so much easier when you get a Thai friend and you actually what to communicate with him. The trouble with learning a language is that you don't learn to speak it overnight, it takes at least 7 years for an adult to master a new language. That's how long it takes a child to master his native language. Many of the farangs I know took lessons for a few months and dropped out when they didn't learn fast enough. If you plan on spending your retirement years here, the time would be well spent to keep at it.
I say go for it. A X said, the locals will appreciate your efforts to attempt to speak a little thai.
I spent some time on my own 7-8 years ago (when I was your age....you puppy!) to try to learn the language a little and I can tell you it's hard as hell to retain anything. I could read it, say it, and then remember it for about 2 minutes. But, after a while (many months after maybe a couple of times a week), it became a little easier and more of it remained in my peabrain. My thai is poor at the very best but I seem to be able to get by doing it (I probably sound like an idiot kindergartner to Thais).
It's a hell of a challenge and I hope to continue the challenge in February and take a language class in Hua Hin a couple of days a week for a couple of months. It'll give me something to do and I do want to learn the language.
Perhaps it might have been easier if you weren't trying to learn Thai language in a GoGo Bar!
Besides the difficulty in hearing and being able to view subtle facial expressions related to tones, I would also suggest that " ... do you bottom? ... " or " ... can I cum in your mouth? ... " will get you precisely nowhere cruising for the tastiest Som Tam in Hua Hin (to which by the way, I can lead you).
Cheers ...
PS ... how's the battle scars from the Palestinian wars over on Baht-Stop?
Just another reason why I love living in Thailand
I lived in North Africa Morocco for nearly 15 years after 6 month I felt frustrated and wanted to speak Arabic so I learnt 2 new words ever day. After 6 month I could speak Arabic fluently I have lived here 6 years and still speak very basic Thai and yes I tried the same method but it did not work, Try to learn the language it is frustrating at times not being able to communicate properly with some one you really want to.
Some one once said the customer is always right, Correct if you only ever want one customer.
Hey, I was spending time in temples, you should know that. In fact, even my elders have on occasion escorted me to a temple or a palace or some such place....
Ah, to be led by the blind....just so I can use some som tam to burn the chrome off my bumper hitch...
And, by the way, I have no idea how to swear in Thai, you dag ling!
Well, guess I'm a zionist motherfucker (which applies, as I understand it, to everyone but the chorus there).
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