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

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 ?

no...

My Grandparents were Germans that came to live in Chicago after WW2.
The both learned English, but never gave up their culture, way of thinking or eating habits. Nothing cahnged them. They were german through and through. I remember my Grandpa at age 75 telling me that he had just noticed that his thoughts were starting to be in English rather than German. Despite that, he never changed into a 100% American. Not even close!

Originally Posted by Butterfly

Isn't this a bit worrisome ? Shouldn't this be another argument not to learn a "primitive" or "inferior" (unsophisticated) language ?

who are u to judge wot is a primitive language?

trollish comment to start!

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 chitown

They were german through and through. I remember my Grandpa at age 75 telling me that he had just noticed that his thoughts were starting to be in English rather than German. Despite that, he never changed into a 100% American.

Well speaking German will make you think like one, if you had to live there and interact with the locals. If you read german literature, the language used will vehicule the ideas in a more effective way than translated.

it is surprising that butterfly of all people would start this thread.

i have rarely read anyone that isn't a native english speaker write as well as he does.

pity really.

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

it is surprising that butterfly of all people would start this thread.

i have rarely read anyone that isn't a native english speaker write as well as he does.

pity really.

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

Originally Posted by kingwilly

who are u to judge wot is a primitive language?

it's primitive in terms of "evolution", not as the popular good or bad sense,

Yes Thai is a primitive language, it lacks vocabulary and structure to make the delivery of meanings effective,

Originally Posted by Butterfly

Originally Posted by kingwilly

who are u to judge wot is a primitive language?

it's primitive in terms of "evolution", not as the popular good or bad sense,

Yes Thai is a primitive language, it lacks vocabulary and structure to make the delivery of meanings effective,

Whose to say our language isn't primitive and lacking the subtleties of asian (tonal) languages?

Latin/greek based languages are fundamentally different from sino/tibetan languages and doesn't lend to such comparisons I think.
Particularly if one is too lazy or ignorant to acquire some knowledge of it.

Originally Posted by Butterfly

Yes Thai is a primitive language, it lacks vocabulary and structure to make the delivery of meanings effective,

how the fuck would you know?

you can't speak it.

you don't want to try.

it's beneath you.l

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

Originally Posted by Butterfly

Yes Thai is a primitive language, it lacks vocabulary and structure to make the delivery of meanings effective,

how the fuck would you know?

Its clear that Thai does not convey detail in communication in the precise way English can. That makes it a primitive language i reckon.
I'm always amazed how the missus can get embroiled in a 5 minute conversation with another Thai over a single line and seemingly simple question.

Originally Posted by Spin

I'm always amazed how the missus can get embroiled in a 5 minute conversation with another Thai over a single line and seemingly simple question.

Assuming your wife is female surely that's just typical woman behaviour and not specifically Thai?

^ actually, I do, but that besides the point,

So have you started to think in Thai more than your mother tongue ? I would be worry if you do.

No, you don't necessarily start to think 'like' the locals by learning the language.

If that were true, what then do you make of people who speak 12 languages... they would all be completely schizophrenic.

Some people make a conscious choice to adapt to the local culture, but that is a separate decision from speaking the language, it is just that people who decide to adapt, as a consequence of this decision, are likely to choose to learn speaking the language.


And your argument about the language itself being primitive is scientifically falsifiable as well. The fact that the language, as spoken on street level lacks distinction, does not mean that the language used by the educated elite is poorly developed or primitive, it is just a reflection of the generally low level of education in the country.

^
don't say you have tried?

you do live here after all.

who in their right mind would bother?

you are a weirdo frankenstein.

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

^
don't say you have tried?

you do live here after all.

who in their right mind would bother?

you are a weirdo frankenstein.

Of course I haven't tried, sillypants.

Originally Posted by Butterfly

So have you started to think in Thai more than your mother tongue ? I would be worry if you do.

not a worry, thinking in a different language can help.

i do hope you appreciate sarcasm.

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

i do hope you appreciate sarcasm.

I learned a new word in Thai today. Sadly, the ability to appreciate sarcasm was significantly reduced through the acquisition of this knowledge.

Originally Posted by Butterfly

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 ?

No, not it they are French

Originally Posted by Milkman

And also, as I think Frankenstein implies or states, learning the language of your host country can help you understand more of the nuances of the culture.

I think this is probably the strongest argument in favor of learning such a language, inferior or not, very strong point.

Originally Posted by DrB0b

at any level although there's probably something fairly simplistic or primitive about those who think there is.

Well, I am sure the language academics and experts would disagree that you call them simplistic or primitive but I get your point

Originally Posted by Butterfly

Well, I am sure the language academics and experts would disagree that you call them simplistic or primitive but I get your point

Which ones, Butterfly? Where can I find some of what they say on the net? I and all the others who don't think Thai is primitive would love to hear more about these academics and experts. You do know their names, don't you?