The Thailand expat forum for Travel, Lifestyle and Fun.

dirtydog · 09-02-2008, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buad hai

I'm just too shy. I have problems speaking English to Americans

Don't blame you, I wouldn't talk to the nasty buggers given the choice

terry57 · 09-02-2008, 09:59 AM

This is my # 1 priority when i move to Thailand is to learn the speak.

I'm going to enroll in language classes as i feel if your serious about living here and interacting with the Thai you must know the lingo.

Ive got a few mates that natter away like the locals so its not impossible if your serious about it and give it a good crack.

It makes me laugh when i read on this forum that the thais are stupid or this and that but im sure that if the farang could speak proper thai most of the problems would disappear.

Anyway,

I'll give it my best shot as i wont be wasting my time working for a foking living.

BosseO · 09-02-2008, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terry57

This is my # 1 priority when i move to Thailand
Anyway, I'll give it my best shot as i wont be wasting my time working for a foking living.

Agree, but # 1 will be a toss up between getting my house ready and buying some wheels.

cali kid · 09-02-2008, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buad hai

Quote:

Originally Posted by cali kid

Speak speak speak speak speak speak speak speak speak...

I'm just too shy. I have problems speaking English to Americans. How can I ever work up the courage to use Thai? I'm just plain terrified of people.

Sorry.

That said, I'm making a lot of progress reading.....

Put the book down. Take some of the time you spend learning to read and start speaking. Sure you are shy but that is just the first hump to get over.. The more you do it, the less self conscious you will become.. At least that is the case with most things, isnt it?
Before you know it the Thais around you will become shy to use their English around you as your Thai is so good.

Dont give up...

tsicar · 09-02-2008, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terry57

This is my # 1 priority when i move to Thailand is to learn the speak.

It makes me laugh when i read on this forum that the thais are stupid or this and that but im sure that if the farang could speak proper thai most of the problems would disappear.

it is only when you can speak thai, and have spent enough time speaking to the locals that you start to understand what they are all about.
very, very scary......................

buad hai · 09-02-2008, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cali kid

Dont give up...

I haven't. I've just adjusted to the reality that being shy probably makes it unlikely that I'll ever be conversant in Thai. Get over it? Sorry, I'm 58 and still afraid to answer the telephone.

k1klass · 09-02-2008, 06:55 PM

Quote:

I have problems speaking English to Americans

I'm with you there, i have problems speaking English to the English, i got 3 words down right now

Little, fat and cheers - see a pattern

Curious George · 10-02-2008, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texpat

Enroll in Thai language classes. Take it seriously, practice all the time. Learn to read and write as you learn to speak. Don't play the transliteration game, it's more confusing and it's like learning a third language. Try to read everything you see, roadsigns, shampoo bottles, newspaper headlines, magazine covers. At the beginning, you can't understand 99% of it, but when you knuckle out your first words outta-the-blue, it's almost orgasmic. Write in Thai as much as possible. English is a crutch best thrown away early. Take notes in Thai to the extent you can. If you can write it, you can read it.

To improve your vocab, use yellow stick-it notes. Put one on the lamp, on the fridge, on the desk, on the mirror, on the computer, on the fan... etc. Write them in Thai. Everytime you pass an item, say it out loud. If you can't remember, read the sitck-it note. When you can remember how to say it, and spell it, remove the note.

Tones are tough, but Thais make them seem tougher than they are.

If you walked into a western store and asked for a ham and chise sandwich, the staff wouldn't bat an eye.

If you walked into a Thai store and asked for khao niao and sam tom, they'll all stand around scratching their heads wondering what this daft farang wanted.

If you listen carefully to Thais speak, they scream over tones like a fighter at the treetops. The clues are in the context.

Have fun and don't be shy.

This is one of the best comprehensive responses I've seen from you, IMO. Believe me, I'm not belittling you, it is just that I totally agree with what you've said.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivor Biggun

As much as my wife tries to teach me I'm fcuked. I've a memory like a sieve. Have trouble remembering peoples names as well.

This is me also!!!!!!!!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

i think the worst thing you can do is to try to remember all the letters and vowels before you start reading stuff.

far better to look at full words and work it out from there, sort of site reading.

My wife tried to have me learn all consonants and vowels, as in preschool. It didn't work for me.

jizzybloke · 14-02-2008, 04:55 AM

Not tried this, i have just seen it.

60 Minutes to Learn the Thai Alphabet 1 - Home & Education - Language - Downloads - CNET.com.au

Anyone tried it?

buad hai · 14-02-2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jizzybloke

Anyone tried it?

Yeah, it has a very bizarre (IMHO) method of assigning mnemonics to the alphabet. I found it confusing.

I made my own flash card deck of the Thai alphabet which was easier. That said, I've never really learned it all....

Look for Thai Characters on this page:

Flashcard Suite Decks

peterpan · 14-02-2008, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terry57

It makes me laugh when i read on this forum that the thais are stupid or this and that but im sure that if the farang could speak proper thai most of the problems would disappear.

Not in my experience Terry, when you can understand what they are saying it appears many are more stupid than I first thought.
Doesn't make them any less likeable, but the average conversation, is childlike in its range of topics.

Dalton · 14-02-2008, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buad hai

Get over it? Sorry, I'm 58 and still afraid to answer the telephone.

Bladdy hell...

Zenman · 14-02-2008, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Property

How did you manage to learn the Thai language? Perhaps you haven't yet.

Images came to mind of my time spent wandering around my Thai condo in Bangkok, a Linguaphone cassette-player dangling around my neck and a set of flash-cards in my back pocket.

Sure, I might now be able to ask the way to the train station, or where the tourist information office is, but to have learn sufficient Thai to deal with the government officials & scammers is momentarily beyond me. And anyway, why should I waste my time talking to people who are clearly less intelligent than me.

Then obiously you are hanging out with the wrong crowd

Bluecat · 14-02-2008, 09:19 PM

I'm learning with my son.
He is 2 but well ahead of me.
Trying to catch up...

Claus31000 · 22-08-2008, 01:41 PM

Unfortunatly i can not yet read or write....but i speak the language at a fair level i should mean....
How did i learn to speak....by listening to my old GF...unfortunatly i had met her in Denmark and she spoke that language .....so most of the time we took the easy road and spoke...well a pretty good mixup of thai/danish/english
So only a little learned there.....At a point we split up and i moved to live alone,thats when i really started to learn to listen to and speak thai.....where i lived only very few thais that i met could speak english (Buriram)....My wife now don't speak english,or at least she pretend so....so here at home conversations are on thai all the time...

Claus

Thormaturge · 22-08-2008, 03:42 PM

Did a few classes, after which it was listening to radio and TV. Watched a few films I know well, but with Thai soundtrack. In the past year or so it has been from listening to the locals speak and asking questions when I hear something I'm not sure about.

Usually add something new to my vocab every second day. It also helps if you can read the language, which isn't as difficult as it may seem.

Jack10 · 27-08-2008, 06:26 PM

I've been staying in Thailand for approximatively a year, working for a french company. I don't speak any Thai and i can still survive. However, it looks like if you can actually speak Thai, people accept you more and are less reluctant to communicate. Moreover, it brings much more opportunities in terms of work.

Also, i can't exactly see how some people manage to learn Thai by themselves, without a private tutor or a school support.
I study Japanese before and looks like as for Thai, it is important to "crack" the grammar and learn as much vocabulary as possible. Regarding pronunciation, just one solution: talk to Thai as much as you can (same for Japanese), whatever your mistakes are.

So i've decided to join a Thai School.

ps: Thormaturge, nice picture. Bryan Ferry forever.

Nabeel · 27-08-2008, 06:40 PM

Also doing a lacguage course can be useful.

Is he doing car resprays or what - lacguage - something to do with the final

finish

Lorenzo · 27-08-2008, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Property

Sure, I might now be able to ask the way to the train station, or where the tourist information office is

That should be plenty, you really do not need to know an extensive amount of thai to get by.

bourbonstreet · 19-10-2008, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by friscofrankie

Quote:

Originally Posted by Property

why should I waste my time talking to people who are clearly less intelligent than me.

Could say the same of any language

If you're gonna live here learn the language. We speak Thai in the home about 80% of the time. When the ol lady pisses me off or I get frustrated I'll slip into English, but, I'm learning; it's only been a few years

. Lose the cassettes & flash cards or leave 'em at home. You learn the language by using it.

BINGO! Frisco nails it on the head. learning a language requires speaking it everyday in a cultural context. language and culture go hand in hand. you can spend hours in a practice room practicing the piano, guitar, what have you. but until you're in a real situation with other musicians, you'll never understand how your instrument really works. same goes for learning to speak any foreign language. just gotta get out there and do it.

Bourbon.

09-02-2008, 09:59 AM	#62 (permalink)
terry57 Elite Member Last Online: Yesterday 05:44 PM Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: perth and bangkok Posts: 3,234	This is my # 1 priority when i move to Thailand is to learn the speak. I'm going to enroll in language classes as i feel if your serious about living here and interacting with the Thai you must know the lingo. Ive got a few mates that natter away like the locals so its not impossible if your serious about it and give it a good crack. It makes me laugh when i read on this forum that the thais are stupid or this and that but im sure that if the farang could speak proper thai most of the problems would disappear. Anyway, I'll give it my best shot as i wont be wasting my time working for a foking living. __________________ saving life and property in the city of perth.

22-08-2008, 03:42 PM	#76 (permalink)
Thormaturge Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Thailand Posts: 2,194	Did a few classes, after which it was listening to radio and TV. Watched a few films I know well, but with Thai soundtrack. In the past year or so it has been from listening to the locals speak and asking questions when I hear something I'm not sure about. Usually add something new to my vocab every second day. It also helps if you can read the language, which isn't as difficult as it may seem. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. "Chang_ed"

14-02-2008, 04:55 AM	#69 (permalink)
jizzybloke Special Member Last Online: Today 01:23 AM Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 3,478	Not tried this, i have just seen it. 60 Minutes to Learn the Thai Alphabet 1 - Home & Education - Language - Downloads - CNET.com.au Anyone tried it?

14-02-2008, 09:19 PM	#74 (permalink)
Bluecat The Cat Last Online: 12-10-2008 03:30 PM Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangkok Posts: 1,641	I'm learning with my son. He is 2 but well ahead of me. Trying to catch up...

22-08-2008, 01:41 PM	#75 (permalink)
Claus31000 Angthong Last Online: 28-11-2008 09:41 AM Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lamplaimat Posts: 42	Unfortunatly i can not yet read or write....but i speak the language at a fair level i should mean.... How did i learn to speak....by listening to my old GF...unfortunatly i had met her in Denmark and she spoke that language .....so most of the time we took the easy road and spoke...well a pretty good mixup of thai/danish/english So only a little learned there.....At a point we split up and i moved to live alone,thats when i really started to learn to listen to and speak thai.....where i lived only very few thais that i met could speak english (Buriram)....My wife now don't speak english,or at least she pretend so....so here at home conversations are on thai all the time... Claus

27-08-2008, 06:26 PM	#77 (permalink)
Jack10 Pattaya Last Online: 09-09-2008 12:02 PM Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 6	I've been staying in Thailand for approximatively a year, working for a french company. I don't speak any Thai and i can still survive. However, it looks like if you can actually speak Thai, people accept you more and are less reluctant to communicate. Moreover, it brings much more opportunities in terms of work. Also, i can't exactly see how some people manage to learn Thai by themselves, without a private tutor or a school support. I study Japanese before and looks like as for Thai, it is important to "crack" the grammar and learn as much vocabulary as possible. Regarding pronunciation, just one solution: talk to Thai as much as you can (same for Japanese), whatever your mistakes are. So i've decided to join a Thai School. ps: Thormaturge, nice picture. Bryan Ferry forever.

27-08-2008, 06:40 PM	#78 (permalink)
Nabeel Chainat Last Online: Yesterday 12:41 AM Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: P'Lok Posts: 30	Also doing a lacguage course can be useful. Is he doing car resprays or what - lacguage - something to do with the final finish