OK.

I'm' trying to learn Thai. I'm up to 23 letters of the Thai alphabet and can even read a few words based on this. But I need to learn 21 more in order to actually truly 'read' Thai.

However, my spoken Thai, though the vocabulary is quickly expanding, is still regretfully off the mark. I can't hit the 'tones' correctly half the time, and I have great difficulty in pronouncing some of the words.


Take for example, the Thai letter in the alphabet: ง
It literally means "snake", and is pronounced ngah ngoo

The immediate and obvious problem for Americans is that we don't have any words in our language that begin with the "ng" sound. We use it all the time to end words, however, such as : thing, song, thing, sang, wrong. But, never ever does it begin a word for us.
Not so with Thai. It's as common as beginning a word with the "T", "Ky" or "P" sound. And this is really really giving me some difficulty.


I sat on the bus with a young Thai student the other day, no more than 20 or 21 years of age. A very handsome, polite, and just all around terrific young man...made sort of wish I was younger and he was gay so I could have a go with his tight little ass, if only he weren't a student of sorts. Anyways, he saw me reading one of my German books (I'm currently trying to learn German as well), and he asked me to tell him about Germany. Apperantly, he wants to go to Germany for his MBA in music in Hamburg, but knows little about Germany itself. He's quite good at Germany, and has been studying it for 2 years. He speaks it better than most Americans I know speak it (with a decent accent probably more understandable to Germans than mine would be), and his English was pretty decent too. Apparently he knows German, English, Thai (of course), and a little bit of Chinese and Japanese.

We had a very pleasant conversation, but after we parted ways, I became a bit annoyed. I started thinking.... Why is it that English speaking citizens suck so badly at other languages? We must look terribly stupid in the eyes of non-English speaking citizens.
I thought about the line in Terintino's last film "Inglorious Basterdz" of the female lead saying, "Don't you Americans know ANY languages other than English?"

But we really don't. Sure, there are a few who take the initiative to learn, but they are not the norm. We, in general, suck ass at it. It's kind of embarassing.

Then later that evening, after my class, I wanted to grab some food. This weekend looks like it's going to be the 'quite' weekend I was hoping for--no concerts, no clubs, just me and some books. But sitting in the restaurant waiting for my food to be served, I overheard a group of Americans and Brits ordering from the Thai waitress. She was obviously Thai, and obviously didn't know but a few words in English, and yet they spoke to her in English, at a regular pace, with no regard to wether she would understand.
When she told them that she didn't understand (She said this in Thai and not English), they spoke more slowly.

But I kept thinking, "Bitch, repeating 'basil chicken' 30 times (it wasn't on the menu but they'll cook it for you) isn't going to make her understand you any more. Speak Thai you arrogant bastard."
I finally, annoyed by their request and arrogance cut in and told her "Grapow (sp?) Gai, Krup." which is the word for basil chicken. The arrogant ass thanked me for it but obviously thought I wasn't American. I said, "Mai Bin Lai" back to him not bother with English at the moment. Then I looked at the waitress and said, "Phet Mach" which means "Very spicy" just because I was irritated by the fool.


But anyways, my Thai sucks. But at least I try.
Why is it that westerners who speak English don't even bother trying?

It gets on my nerves.



[Edited 12/18/09 20:09pm]

is English your first language?

roodboi said:

I know where that joke is leading, fool!

cuz....
let's just say there's a 'thing' goin on in the title there.....



and what's a peole??

Before I commit here, is it really necessary I read all that or is it just a 2,000 version of the thread title?

the day your spelling skills match the level of your photoshop skills, then you will be a communicative genius....and I aint even bullshittin'

peb319 said:

He probably had pee hole in mind.

I'm glad I'm not Johns avatar anymore, I'd be getting shit on twice...

roodboi said:

roodboi said:

Have you even seen the picture dedicated to you in the "Photoshop your Tits" thread?

Imago said:

That thread hasn't gotten much love since a few hours ago.

Thai sounds very difficult. but then again, all languages at the beginning are very hard. At least you know the basics of thai, and heck! 21 letters is pretty impressive! you should be proud of the fact that at least your trying. some people never learn other languages, because of whatever reason. Personally, i wish i can learn lots of languages.
but on my list of languages to learn are
vietnamese
mandarin
japanese(well to read kanji)
gaelic
portuguese
[Edited 12/18/09 20:18pm]

Imago said:

god, I just went and looked at that shit...



I think I look alright...

We have about a foot of snow and our power is going off and on

E a zy key a zan spee a zeek key a zoo lee a zat tee a zin


and pig latin too

Mach said:

It's coming down here now. We're supposed to get 1-2 feet.

johnart said:

My car got stuck on my drive around 2pm
and our oldest son and his K-9 partner are snowed in here with us

there are approx 3,900 people in the Asheville area without power

lol speak for yourself, Imago. There are plenty of english speakers who do not suck at learning other languages, so don't put us all in the same boat as you. It just takes effort and practice. Also, it's proven that most people generally learn other languages better the younger they start.


and no offense but i think you just have trouble with languages in general, as there are several misspelled english words in your post.
[Edited 12/18/09 20:29pm]

mimi2 said:

Well, I guess you didn't bother to read the part where I said it's not all English speakers.

mimi2 said:

In all fairness to Dan, he's only been speaking English for 30 some odd years...and spelling English words for a lil' less than that...he's catching on, cut him some slack...

roodboi said:

You also forget I've been schooled in English in your part of the country--a fate worse than death.

Imago said:

you reckon?

roodboi said:

What is turkey with all the 'fixenz'????

I mean..... WHAT. IS. THAT?!?!?!?!?

Imago said:

did you say something, man?? I didn't hear ya, I was pickin' ticks off my 'coon dog...

liar ~svn seven

7e7e7 said:

Imago said: