Thread: Does speaking a language make you think like a local ?

Most is the noun, thus the noun-verb agreement is correct. Most are, most were, most have been. Not most is...

Most of them is? Most of A and B is?

As a native English speaker, I will have to put my vote in with Dr. Bob as being correct, but why should you worry Jet, you are many generations Asian, and as you said above, you even speak more than one Asian language, so we cannot all be perfect.

Originally Posted by Jet Gorgon

Most of them is? Most of A and B is?

The Dr. is right, Jet.

You were describing quantity, not number.

Most is here? How many is there? What is they?

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

I thought Canadians were classified as native speakers? I can understand if they're not though...

Paris, Canada.

so ok language vehicule local feelings, culture, and a certain kind of logic,

But if you understand and assimilate a language in a constant basis (social + work), surely your actions and your thinking will be dictacted by the very nature of that language ?

Probably, if you are speaking that language then you will be speaking to other native speakers of that language and probably in the country, ie. speaking Thai to Thais in Thailand... hence you might become a bit Thai. If there was a group of Africans who decided to sit around speaking Thai together I doubt they would suddenly start eating som tam and waiing each other.

A. Most of the spelling was atrocious
B. Most of the spellings were atrocious
C. Most of the grammar was atrocious
D. Most of the grammatical structures were atrocious

Adding the singular collectives from A and C does not make a plural.

DrBob is right

Most of the spelling and grammar was atrocious.

So does the OP thinking of Thai only or does it cover other languaged as well ?? Cause then I'm real fcuked..

The OP is going under his preconceived notion that all Thais are base and primitive for two reasons it seems:
1. His only contact with Thai people are from specialty bars and associated mentality.
2. His maniacal egotism forbids him to view anyone on an equal level with himself.

Anyway I do think learning the language helps you understand some of the possible thought processes of Thai people.

As far as going native goes I think it's possible.
I know the farang owner of one of the big property management concerns in Pattaya. He speaks Thai very well. Was he a scheming cnut before or after learning Thai? I suspect the former.

The OP might not have this question if he broadened his horizon outside of BJ bars and transsexual venues.

Originally Posted by Butterfly

But if you understand and assimilate a language in a constant basis (social + work), surely your actions and your thinking will be dictacted by the very nature of that language ?

How we view the world, our morals and behavior are instilled at a very young age and for better or worse remain with us throughout our lives. To some degree "actions and thinking" are modified by understanding a particular language but our core beliefs remain.

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

I thought Canadians were classified as native speakers? I can understand if they're not though...

Paris, Canada.

Don't be a hoser, eh! Send a French Canadian to France and they would be completely baffled by the natives!

Rydw i'n dy hoffi di.

Originally Posted by Butterfly

With the overheated debate about the merit of speaking Thai when residing in Thailand, one underlying important question was never asked, does speaking Thai make you think like a Thai ?

This would bring an interesting perspective to these language questions.

Personally all the farang men I have met here who spoke perfectly Thai and who resided here for a bit too long, acted and had the same thinking process of a local Thai man. Isn't this a bit worrisome ? Shouldn't this be another argument not to learn a "primitive" or "inferior" (unsophisticated) language ?

Oh shut up you pommie bastard! Go back to your luke-warm beer, steak & kidney pies and lousy weather.

Originally Posted by Mr Earl

The OP might not have this question if he broadened his horizon outside of BJ bars and transsexual venues.

That's a lot to ask for...

Originally Posted by kingwilly

who are u to judge wot is a primitive language?

trollish comment to start!

What a silly silly silly typical King Dick statement.

It is not my decision that Thai is a primative language or that Myanmar is an inferior country - that's just the way it is, now go and plant trees with Ant.

Originally Posted by Norton

Rydw i'n dy hoffi di

diolch yn fawr iawn.


mustn't speak foreign here though.
it's against forum rules.

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

mustn't speak foreign here though. it's against forum rules.

Oops.... Just threw it in to promote the idea of understanding through learning a "foreign" language.

Originally Posted by The Gentleman Scamp

It is not my decision that Thai is a primative language

No, you're just the ill-informed idiot who repeats it.

Originally Posted by Butterfly

so ok language vehicule local feelings, culture, and a certain kind of logic,

This from Google...

No definitions of vehicule were found in English
Definitions of vehicule on the Web in French:
Un véhicule est un engin mobile, qui permet de déplacer des personnes ou des charges d'un point à un autre, sur des distances variables.
fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Véhicule* Un véhicule est un engin mobile servant au transport des personnes et des marchandises.* Dans le domaine économique et financier, un véhicule est un montage financier ou une structure juridique permettant la réalisation d'un projet. ...
fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Véhicule (homonymie)inclut camion, automobile, cabriolet, carrosse...
users.skynet.be/fralica/refer/lexique/dlexfm.htmForme qui permet à une entité supérieure de se manifester sur un plan inférieur. Par exemple, les corps physique, astral et mental sont les véhicules de l’âme sur des plans inférieurs au sien.
taraquebec.org/Wordpress/archives/category/glossaire-de-termes-esoteriques/

Originally Posted by Butterfly

With the overheated debate about the merit of speaking Thai when residing in Thailand, one underlying important question was never asked, does speaking Thai make you think like a Thai ?

This would bring an interesting perspective to these language questions.

Personally all the farang men I have met here who spoke perfectly Thai and who resided here for a bit too long, acted and had the same thinking process of a local Thai man. Isn't this a bit worrisome ? Shouldn't this be another argument not to learn a "primitive" or "inferior" (unsophisticated) language ?

Odd thread. Bottom line. Those who cannot or WILL NOT adapt to the environment they find themselves in, will have a tougher time of it than those who can.
Its evolution baby.

When in Rome my friends. When in Rome.

Originally Posted by SungTong

Those who cannot or WILL NOT adapt to the environment they find themselves in, will have a tougher time of it than those who can. Its evolution baby.

Kinda like using black text on a dark blue background, yes?

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Originally Posted by SungTong

Those who cannot or WILL NOT adapt to the environment they find themselves in, will have a tougher time of it than those who can. Its evolution baby.

Kinda like using black text on a dark blue background, yes?

I guess it is more like evolution in as much as a lion surrounded by gazelles will start eating grass.