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

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Ha Loy Dak Ling"

didn't know that.

They find it endlessly amusing, I think it's rather funny myself

I can speak Khymer.

To order a beer, anyway.

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Ha Loy Dak Ling"

didn't know that, but I would never dream of going near any of those places myself.

Priceless. quote of the year.

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

I can speak Khymer.

To order a beer, anyway.

Is that related to Khmer?

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

I can speak Khymer.

To order a beer, anyway.

Is that related to Khmer?

Yes. It's one of the lesser known dialects.

One would have thought in the sticks. where I now reside, that some fuency in thai would be mandatory. Strangely its quite rare for me to come across a Westener who has even basic Thai language skills.
In fact my friends in Bangkok have a much greater grasp of the language than those here. I assume because they are in the main, not working and therefore their wife is always around to sort things out for them as its also quite rare to meet a Thai who has good English skills, even my kids English teacher finds it easier to converse with me in Thai than English.
Maybe a confidence thing tho', upcountry Thai feel intimidated speaking English with a foreigner even if they have a reasonable grasp of the language.

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Khmer is Cambodian. What does it have to do with Laos or Isaan? In Thailand Khmer is mostly used in magical incantations and the dialect for talking to royalty or extremely senior monks. Any old Thai who only speaks Khmer would have to be well over a 1000 years old as that's the last time it was used as a generally spoken language in Thailand.

Well, Mr Bob, that shows that even doctors don't know what they are talking about and spout complete bollox sometimes.

My wife and her family and the whole village she lives in and quite a lot of people in Surin and a few other provinces speak Khmer. My wife's grandmother can only speak Khmer and not Thai and as far as I know she isn't 1000 years old, though she does look it.

Originally Posted by NickA

My wife and her family and the whole village she lives in and quite a lot of people in Surin and a few other provinces speak Khmer.

And they are not alone! Government estimates 1.1M, 6.5% of Isaan residents speak Khmer "officially" know as Northern Khmer. Khmer is the 2nd most spoken behind Lao/Issan (officially known as Northeastern Thai) spoken by 15M, 87% of Isaan residents.

Originally Posted by DrB0b

"Ha Loy Dak Ling"

Ok I got most of it except that word "Dak", what does it mean ?

I will use it next time I go to the bars and see their reactions

It means to trap or ensnare.

Originally Posted by Butterfly

Originally Posted by DrB0b

"Ha Loy Dak Ling"

Ok I got most of it except that word "Dak", what does it mean ?

I will use it next time I go to the bars and see their reactions

It means arse, "500, monkey arse!"

Originally Posted by NickA

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Khmer is Cambodian. What does it have to do with Laos or Isaan? In Thailand Khmer is mostly used in magical incantations and the dialect for talking to royalty or extremely senior monks. Any old Thai who only speaks Khmer would have to be well over a 1000 years old as that's the last time it was used as a generally spoken language in Thailand.

Well, Mr Bob, that shows that even doctors don't know what they are talking about and spout complete bollox sometimes.

Sadly true, I'll get me coat

Originally Posted by DrB0b

It means arse, "500, monkey arse!"

it could also mean "Delicious Monkey Arse"

actually my understanding of 'dark ling' is that it is a little worse than just monkey arse, its more like monkey asshole.

I don't care what she calls me if it's only 500.

Originally Posted by Butterfly

Originally Posted by DrB0b

It means arse, "500, monkey arse!"

it could also mean "Delicious Monkey Arse"

Only if she's speaking with a French or Cockney accent

Originally Posted by DrB0b

It means arse, "500, monkey arse!"

it also means to trap or snare.

if spelt like this ด้ก

Originally Posted by chitown

I would hate to live here and have everyone around me speaking and not be able to understand it. At least pick up a few phrases like "you hit him and I will get his wallet" and "Here comes another dumb ass farang, charge him double."

I'm with you on this 100%

A friend of mine, Italian, whose English was understandable to me but not to most Thais, and who spoke zero Thai, fell seriously ill last year. The missus sensing her opportunity lifted not one finger and he wound up flying home to Italy for healthcare.

It killed him.

The missus gets the house and car.

Learn the lingo.

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

Originally Posted by DrB0b

It means arse, "500, monkey arse!"

it also means to trap or snare.

if spelt like this ด้ก

That's a different word, you silly bugger Yes, that does mean trap, daaaaaaaaaaaaak, as in arse, is spelt ดาก.

^ A lot of people seem to have misconstrued my comments on this thread. I do speak passable Thai. I do speak several other languages. I do think it's valuable to learn the language wherever you go.

I'm too lazy to study Thai formally and to learn to read and write. That's a personal choice. When I arrived in Thailand, I did take a conversational Thai class and studied for a few months, but again the focus was simply conversation.

I will say this. I never have any Thai ask me to restate or rephrase anything, or that they don't understand it. I don't speak bargirl Thai. My wife corrects me when I make a mistake, and that is how I learned.

My first contribution to this thread and it certainly has meandered . . .

I also speak four languages fluently, but they are European languages. I speak a smattering of Hokkien and Mandarin, a bit of Japanese and more than a bit of Bahasa Malayu.

All this helps me sweet FA when I'm at my office or out on site and can't understand a word anyone is saying, I can't read directions to where I need to go and I am reliant on other people to provide me with what I need.

Of course knowledge of Thai in Thailand is necessary and all the arrogant posturing that the 'jungle-bunnies' should be learning English just deflects from the point that we need the local language here.

I don't try it for any practical reason. It's just like an interesting puzzle to try and decipher which is fun when you get it right. I wish they would put spaces between the words.

It is handy being able to read street signs for getting around.