Page 1 of 11 123456789 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 251
  1. #1
    Thailand Expat Texpat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    In your head
    Posts
    13,058

    Is it really necessary to learn a host country's language?

    That they need not learn their hosts' language to communicate.

  2. #2
    punk douche bag
    ChiangMai noon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    o dan y bryn
    Posts
    29,256
    Quote Originally Posted by Texpat
    That they need not learn their hosts' language to communicate.
    interesting that.

    as my thai has improved to a really pretty good level, i have found myself less willing to broadcast it.

    these days I speak English to Thais that can, even if their English is worse than my Thai.

    for some reason it annoys me to hear bad Thai spoken very loudly, especially to people who speak good enough English.

  3. #3
    Thailand Expat Texpat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    In your head
    Posts
    13,058
    ^Yes, good to have the option, but the farangs I am referring to are the smug, I-won't-stoop-to-learn-Thai types.

  4. #4
    Thailand Expat
    peterpan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Pleasantville
    Posts
    10,110
    Quote Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Texpat
    That they need not learn their hosts' language to communicate.
    interesting that.

    as my thai has improved to a really pretty good level, i have found myself less willing to broadcast it.

    these days I speak English to Thais that can, even if their English is worse than my Thai.

    for some reason it annoys me to hear bad Thai spoken very loudly, especially to people who speak good enough English.
    Must admit I have gone in that direction myself, partly due to wanting my children to improve their engllsh and partly wanting the locals to get off their butts and start using some of the ( lImited) English skills I know they have.

    I spent a couple of days in BKK last week with me Mia noi or ex Mia noi as she now is, trying to bond with our daughter. They both live in Thai situation, she has a job dealing only with Thais, her English has regressed to the point of being useless.
    So maybe they feel the same way, when the requirment becomes superfluous the skill atrophys.

  5. #5
    I'm in Jail
    Butterfly's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Last Online
    12-06-2021 @ 11:13 PM
    Posts
    39,832
    Quote Originally Posted by Texpat
    ^Yes, good to have the option, but the farangs I am referring to are the smug, I-won't-stoop-to-learn-Thai types.
    I don't see the point of learning Thai, it's not like it's a major language, definitely not a must

    It's like learning how to speak Monkey, who the fuck care.

  6. #6
    punk douche bag
    ChiangMai noon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    o dan y bryn
    Posts
    29,256
    ^
    jeezus.


  7. #7
    Thailand Expat Texpat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    In your head
    Posts
    13,058
    ^^like that Thanks for illustrating my point BF.

  8. #8
    I am in Jail

    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Last Online
    15-12-2012 @ 03:35 PM
    Posts
    5,908
    Quote Originally Posted by Butterfly View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Texpat
    ^Yes, good to have the option, but the farangs I am referring to are the smug, I-won't-stoop-to-learn-Thai types.
    I don't see the point of learning Thai, it's not like it's a major language, definitely not a must

    It's like learning how to speak Monkey, who the fuck care.
    No honestly, BF has a good point. Nobody in the entire world speaks Thai. It has no influence whatsoever in any circles in the world, whether business, diplomatic, scientific...nothing.

    Why learn more than a smattering of this useless language? What's the point?

    Learn Chinese. Learn Russian. Learn Arabic. Learn Spanish.

    Those are important world languages.

  9. #9
    punk douche bag
    ChiangMai noon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    o dan y bryn
    Posts
    29,256
    ^
    is that a troll?

    do you live in thailand?

    absolutely beats me how people can live here and can't read or write.

    would you feel happy being illiterate in France, England, America.
    not rocket science.

  10. #10
    Part time poster
    slimboyfat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Last Online
    02-04-2025 @ 10:31 AM
    Location
    BANGKOK / Kanchanaburi
    Posts
    9,443
    well at least BF can speak a couple of languages well
    (that i know of, it may be more). And thats better than me.

    As for monkey, yes i never bothered to learn malay either, even though the whole language only seems to comprise of about 100 words

  11. #11
    The Cat
    Bluecat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Last Online
    12-01-2011 @ 11:00 PM
    Location
    Bangkok
    Posts
    1,673
    [quote=kingwilly;455738]
    Quote Originally Posted by a bloke from an indo forum
    I've never asked her out or even asked for her number. I like joking around with her, but I've never had the urge to pursue her. She's a cutie though, no doubt about it. Then again, there are so many cuties on the blok.
    Well, most expats are not that careful usually and it has nothing to do with delusions of grandeur.
    He should be rewarded for his caution...

  12. #12
    I am in Jail

    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Last Online
    18-08-2020 @ 01:09 AM
    Location
    Ludovico Institute
    Posts
    997
    Nobody in the entire world speaks Thai
    I was just going to say that but I could predict the responses - after a quick edit, I see I was right - but the cat's out of the bag now. The way I see it, the Thais would be doing themselves a big favour if they just learn English & if they're going to do that, there's not much point learning Thai properly.

  13. #13
    I am in Jail

    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Last Online
    15-12-2012 @ 03:35 PM
    Posts
    5,908
    Quote Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon View Post
    ^
    is that a troll?

    do you live in thailand?

    absolutely beats me how people can live here and can't read or write.

    would you feel happy being illiterate in France, England, America.
    not rocket science.
    I speak fluent French, mostly fluent English and American, and conversational Thai. I rarely use English in Thailand.

    But I stand by my point. It's a useless language. It relates to no other important world language, such as Mandarin. It gives you no foundation for any other important Asian language, such as Japanese or Bahasa.

    Useless. Sorry.

  14. #14
    I'm in Jail
    Butterfly's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Last Online
    12-06-2021 @ 11:13 PM
    Posts
    39,832
    Quote Originally Posted by chinthee
    Learn Chinese. Learn Russian. Learn Arabic. Learn Spanish.

    Those are important world languages.
    Exactly. But you forgot French, the universal language of love and a beautiful language period

  15. #15
    I am in Jail

    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Last Online
    15-12-2012 @ 03:35 PM
    Posts
    5,908
    Quote Originally Posted by Butterfly View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by chinthee
    Learn Chinese. Learn Russian. Learn Arabic. Learn Spanish.

    Those are important world languages.
    Exactly. But you forgot French, the universal language of love and a beautiful language period
    Je parle Francais parfaitement mon ami!

  16. #16
    punk douche bag
    ChiangMai noon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    o dan y bryn
    Posts
    29,256
    Quote Originally Posted by Clockwork Orange
    The way I see it, the Thais would be doing themselves a big favour if they just learn English & if they're going to do that, there's not much point learning Thai properly.
    twattish post.




    Quote Originally Posted by chinthee
    Useless. Sorry.
    I'm sure it is, unless you fukking live here.



    Quote Originally Posted by Butterfly
    Exactly. But you forgot French, the universal language of love and a beautiful language period
    christ almighty.

  17. #17
    I'm in Jail
    Butterfly's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Last Online
    12-06-2021 @ 11:13 PM
    Posts
    39,832
    Quote Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon
    absolutely beats me how people can live here and can't read or write.
    I have plenty of admiration for those who try and do speak and read Thai

    but really, it's pointless and there are better things to do than spend time to learn the language of a minor third world country

  18. #18
    Thailand Expat
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    59,983
    learning a language is never a waste of time.

    i've learnt (and forgotten) to speak half a dozen languages over the years, always helps.

    one day i might even learn to speak or write english

  19. #19
    I am in Jail

    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Last Online
    15-12-2012 @ 03:35 PM
    Posts
    5,908
    Ok, yeah, I speak converasational Thai because I have to. Not because I want to. It's a useless language and gives you no tools for any other language on this earth. * And I promise this is true.

    Everyone is so proud when they speak Thai in Thailand, but it doesn't get them anything outside this little country.

  20. #20
    punk douche bag
    ChiangMai noon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    o dan y bryn
    Posts
    29,256
    ^
    I'm flabbergasted.

    do you live in thailand or not Chintee.

    i agree it is utterly useless if you are elsewhere, but if you are here???

  21. #21
    I am in Jail

    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Last Online
    15-12-2012 @ 03:35 PM
    Posts
    5,908
    Quote Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon View Post
    ^
    I'm flabbergasted.

    do you live in thailand or not Chintee.

    i agree it is utterly useless if you are elsewhere, but if you are here???
    yeah, I'm here and I speak passable Thai, but not literate. Anyway, if you've learned as many languages as I have you get weary of it all...

  22. #22
    The Cat
    Bluecat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Last Online
    12-01-2011 @ 11:00 PM
    Location
    Bangkok
    Posts
    1,673
    Quote Originally Posted by Butterfly View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Texpat
    ^Yes, good to have the option, but the farangs I am referring to are the smug, I-won't-stoop-to-learn-Thai types.
    I don't see the point of learning Thai, it's not like it's a major language, definitely not a must
    I agree with that.
    Far better to learn French, German, Mandarin or Japanese.
    That is if you do not live in Thailand or want to live in Thailand.
    Because, well, here, speaking Thai is sure more helpful than speaking French or Mandarin...
    Discussion is an exchange of knowledge, argument is an exchange of ignorance

  23. #23
    Part time poster
    slimboyfat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Last Online
    02-04-2025 @ 10:31 AM
    Location
    BANGKOK / Kanchanaburi
    Posts
    9,443
    anyone who cant speak english probably isn't worth speaking to anyway.

    espcially kw

    anyway this thread wasn't about speaking thai and is also in the indo/phils forum

  24. #24
    I'm in Jail
    Butterfly's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Last Online
    12-06-2021 @ 11:13 PM
    Posts
    39,832
    Quote Originally Posted by chinthee
    Everyone is so proud when they speak Thai in Thailand, but it doesn't get them anything outside this little country.
    It's actually useful to score hotties and have freebies with the uni girls, so not totally useless if you live here. But yeah being proud of speaking Thai is like being a proud puppy putting his first turd on the carpet, not really an accomplishment.

    Quote Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon
    do you live in thailand or not Chintee.
    I don't see how this can be an argument, and no, giving out reds is the not answer

  25. #25
    punk douche bag
    ChiangMai noon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    o dan y bryn
    Posts
    29,256
    Quote Originally Posted by slimboyfat
    anyway this thread wasn't about speaking thai and is also in the indo/phils forum
    oops.
    sorry
    I accidentally popped over to thaivisa

Page 1 of 11 123456789 ... LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 2 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 2 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •