SAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)

[ThaitoUSA 15]

kow jai would literally be translated as "It enters my heart." To understand something requires that it enters one's heart, which is synonymous with mind (jit jai). Heart is one of the most used Thai words, especially for expressing emotions. Practically every single pop song shall contain the word 'jai.'

For naughtier stuff, I would prefer sending that privately. A book that serves as an excellent resource for that is called "Thai for Lovers." I had had a copy, but it got swiped by a deranged Thai lady.

I would be happy to help anyone with Thai language lessons. My knowledge and ability were greatly facilitated through language emersion. It got to the point where I was speaking Thai 90% and English 10% of the time. I used index cards to memorize large chunks of vocabulary and had native speakers help me with pronunciation and listening comprehension. Anyone can learn, it just takes thewillingness, patience, and commitment.

[AaronLV 12]

(like a Taxi swearing he knew where we were going, then drops us off at some remote temple just to get a fare)

You have got to be the unluckiest person in the world. On two occasions I had a taxi problem, one was the guy had a brand new cab with a nice stereo and he turned up the music and we were having a great time, and he missed the turn which meant he had to take us further down and around, instead of a 45 baht ride it was 60. Then we were coming back from MBK we decided to take a taxi, and the meter was spinning to fast, the wife made us get out and get another cab. She gets pissed off when ever anyone tried to rip us off. So we caught another cab and cost me close to 100 baht for the two cab rides where as the crooked one would have probably cost me 75, but it was principal

On learning Thai, I took the easy route and learned to count. I figured numbers were quite important, which turns out they are. I have problems when I reach 10K, but anything before that I am good at. It made it much easier when buying stuff, and getting places. As for other words, I can understand a lot more then I can speak.

[*Robert* 2]

For naughtier stuff, I would prefer sending that privately. A book that serves as an excellent resource for that is called "Thai for Lovers." I had had a copy, but it got swiped by a deranged Thai lady.

Now that sounds like an interesting story!

[HYENA 4]

kow jai would literally be translated as "It enters my heart." To understand something requires that it enters one's heart, which is synonymous with mind (jit jai). Heart is one of the most used Thai words, especially for expressing emotions. Practically every single pop song shall contain the word 'jai.'

For naughtier stuff, I would prefer sending that privately. A book that serves as an excellent resource for that is called "Thai for Lovers." I had had a copy, but it got swiped by a deranged Thai lady.

I would be happy to help anyone with Thai language lessons. My knowledge and ability were greatly facilitated through language emersion. It got to the point where I was speaking Thai 90% and English 10% of the time. I used index cards to memorize large chunks of vocabulary and had native speakers help me with pronunciation and listening comprehension. Anyone can learn, it just takes thewillingness, patience, and commitment.

That's how I picked up Spanish. Best thing I did was take a semester of it then it got easier (I spoke a fair amount before that)...but my learning curve changed and the last trip I realized I could listen to the radio, chit chat with locals and read the paper without a second thought. The letters are what kills me about Thai. Once I figure out the principals (how it makes sense--or make it make sense to me), I hope to hit that curve but for now I'm a basic needs with a few words on top, name dishes, all the mushy love stuff and how's your family kinda guy. Every time I call abroad, if I know the Thai or Isaan word (I'd prefer to speak Isaan) I speak it instead of English and I try to add a new word each day (not easy). Pimsleur's Thai helped a lot too...put that in my phone - 29 or so lessons and they get you speaking fast and paying attention to your sounds while you do so. Someone told me that was the best deal (If anyone needs a copy, I've got the full set).

Latin languages are super simple...just a matter of time to learn the words but this is a new animal and deserves some time and attention. Also if she doesn't want to teach me (because she wants me to teach her) and I keep speaking it incorrectly eventually she'll correct me and I can move to the next word. Right now we're dealing with her having atm machine problems (I'm certain she's pressing savings rather than checking...called my bank and they can see her attempts and she's saying it wont work so I'm sure it's the choices before you choose the amount that's fudging it all. Stuff like that frustrates me because she doesn't know the words and she doesn't know how to sound out words (if I said a word, she cannot spell it by sound). We can't find a school (or she can't) but I really need her to grasp our alphabet and how to sound out words spoken and read. For the atm...nothing I can do. If she wants money she'll have to calm down and take time to listen and try to learn 3 new words checking, savings, current/gift but for now if she can't slow down enough to listen...she's busy talking so I'll just kick back and when she wants to listen, I can teach her (she gets stressed and can't hear anything, does everything too fast and it becomes a interpretation nightmare).

I get very frustrated at impass moments and the many misunderstandings because she's spoken english for years and only knows certain words. I don't know how she can hit that curve. I stay there a month and it's no better than when i met her; as a matter of fact she's forgotten a lot of her english since I met her. Any suggestions?

Edited May 1, 2009 by HYENA

[daboyz 36]

kow jai would literally be translated as "It enters my heart." To understand something requires that it enters one's heart, which is synonymous with mind (jit jai). Heart is one of the most used Thai words, especially for expressing emotions. Practically every single pop song shall contain the word 'jai.'

For naughtier stuff, I would prefer sending that privately. A book that serves as an excellent resource for that is called "Thai for Lovers." I had had a copy, but it got swiped by a deranged Thai lady.

I would be happy to help anyone with Thai language lessons. My knowledge and ability were greatly facilitated through language emersion. It got to the point where I was speaking Thai 90% and English 10% of the time. I used index cards to memorize large chunks of vocabulary and had native speakers help me with pronunciation and listening comprehension. Anyone can learn, it just takes thewillingness, patience, and commitment.

That's how I picked up Spanish. Best thing I did was take a semester of it then it got easier (I spoke a fair amount before that)...but my learning curve changed and the last trip I realized I could listen to the radio, chit chat with locals and read the paper without a second thought. The letters are what kills me about Thai. Once I figure out the principals (how it makes sense--or make it make sense to me), I hope to hit that curve but for now I'm a basic needs with a few words on top, name dishes, all the mushy love stuff and how's your family kinda guy. Every time I call abroad, if I know the Thai or Isaan word (I'd prefer to speak Isaan) I speak it instead of English and I try to add a new word each day (not easy). Pimsleur's Thai helped a lot too...put that in my phone - 29 or so lessons and they get you speaking fast and paying attention to your sounds while you do so. Someone told me that was the best deal (If anyone needs a copy, I've got the full set).

Latin languages are super simple...just a matter of time to learn the words but this is a new animal and deserves some time and attention. Also if she doesn't want to teach me (because she wants me to teach her) and I keep speaking it incorrectly eventually she'll correct me and I can move to the next word. Right now we're dealing with her having atm machine problems (I'm certain she's pressing savings rather than checking...called my bank and they can see her attempts and she's saying it wont work so I'm sure it's the choices before you choose the amount that's fudging it all. Stuff like that frustrates me because she doesn't know the words and she doesn't know how to sound out words (if I said a word, she cannot spell it by sound). We can't find a school (or she can't) but I really need her to grasp our alphabet and how to sound out words spoken and read. For the atm...nothing I can do. If she wants money she'll have to calm down and take time to listen and try to learn 3 new words checking, savings, current/gift but for now if she can't slow down enough to listen...she's busy talking so I'll just kick back and when she wants to listen, I can teach her (she gets stressed and can't hear anything, does everything too fast and it becomes a interpretation nightmare).

I get very frustrated at impass moments and the many misunderstandings because she's spoken english for years and only knows certain words. I don't know how she can hit that curve. I stay there a month and it's no better than when i met her; as a matter of fact she's forgotten a lot of her english since I met her. Any suggestions?

I went through this same exact thing with the checking/savings. She needs to select "Current"

Checking= บัญชีกระแสรายวัน

Current = แพพำ ฟแนะ

[HYENA 4]

kow jai would literally be translated as "It enters my heart." To understand something requires that it enters one's heart, which is synonymous with mind (jit jai). Heart is one of the most used Thai words, especially for expressing emotions. Practically every single pop song shall contain the word 'jai.'

For naughtier stuff, I would prefer sending that privately. A book that serves as an excellent resource for that is called "Thai for Lovers." I had had a copy, but it got swiped by a deranged Thai lady.

I would be happy to help anyone with Thai language lessons. My knowledge and ability were greatly facilitated through language emersion. It got to the point where I was speaking Thai 90% and English 10% of the time. I used index cards to memorize large chunks of vocabulary and had native speakers help me with pronunciation and listening comprehension. Anyone can learn, it just takes thewillingness, patience, and commitment.

That's how I picked up Spanish. Best thing I did was take a semester of it then it got easier (I spoke a fair amount before that)...but my learning curve changed and the last trip I realized I could listen to the radio, chit chat with locals and read the paper without a second thought. The letters are what kills me about Thai. Once I figure out the principals (how it makes sense--or make it make sense to me), I hope to hit that curve but for now I'm a basic needs with a few words on top, name dishes, all the mushy love stuff and how's your family kinda guy. Every time I call abroad, if I know the Thai or Isaan word (I'd prefer to speak Isaan) I speak it instead of English and I try to add a new word each day (not easy). Pimsleur's Thai helped a lot too...put that in my phone - 29 or so lessons and they get you speaking fast and paying attention to your sounds while you do so. Someone told me that was the best deal (If anyone needs a copy, I've got the full set).

Latin languages are super simple...just a matter of time to learn the words but this is a new animal and deserves some time and attention. Also if she doesn't want to teach me (because she wants me to teach her) and I keep speaking it incorrectly eventually she'll correct me and I can move to the next word. Right now we're dealing with her having atm machine problems (I'm certain she's pressing savings rather than checking...called my bank and they can see her attempts and she's saying it wont work so I'm sure it's the choices before you choose the amount that's fudging it all. Stuff like that frustrates me because she doesn't know the words and she doesn't know how to sound out words (if I said a word, she cannot spell it by sound). We can't find a school (or she can't) but I really need her to grasp our alphabet and how to sound out words spoken and read. For the atm...nothing I can do. If she wants money she'll have to calm down and take time to listen and try to learn 3 new words checking, savings, current/gift but for now if she can't slow down enough to listen...she's busy talking so I'll just kick back and when she wants to listen, I can teach her (she gets stressed and can't hear anything, does everything too fast and it becomes a interpretation nightmare).

I get very frustrated at impass moments and the many misunderstandings because she's spoken english for years and only knows certain words. I don't know how she can hit that curve. I stay there a month and it's no better than when i met her; as a matter of fact she's forgotten a lot of her english since I met her. Any suggestions?

I went through this same exact thing with the checking/savings. She needs to select "Current"

Checking= บัญชีกระแสรายวัน

Current = แพพำ ฟแนะ

Thank you so much for the translation! You're da bomb! LOL! I really appreciate that.

Yes, I was telling her use current/gift or just current. i'll email those words to her.

[AaronLV 12]

We can't find a school (or she can't) but I really need her to grasp our alphabet and how to sound out words spoken and read.

http://www.britishcouncil.org/thailand

This is where I sent Nam while we were waiting for her Visa. She was already good at reading and writing, and not bad at speaking, but just needed work on Grammar. There program was great, she improved dramatically, before I met her, she had bought a book on learning english, that explains it in Thai.

They also had an English language school in the Times Square Building where the Lawyer is, on the third floor by the elevators.

If she can't find a place to take her money and teach her english in Bangkok, she is not looking very hard. I saw a places almost everywhere.

[daboyz 36]

We can't find a school (or she can't) but I really need her to grasp our alphabet and how to sound out words spoken and read.

http://www.britishcouncil.org/thailand

This is where I sent Nam while we were waiting for her Visa. She was already good at reading and writing, and not bad at speaking, but just needed work on Grammar. There program was great, she improved dramatically, before I met her, she had bought a book on learning english, that explains it in Thai.

They also had an English language school in the Times Square Building where the Lawyer is, on the third floor by the elevators.

If she can't find a place to take her money and teach her english in Bangkok, she is not looking very hard. I saw a places almost everywhere.

AUA is also really good:

http://www.auathailand.org/

I think one of the oldest in Thailand.

[HYENA 4]

We can't find a school (or she can't) but I really need her to grasp our alphabet and how to sound out words spoken and read.

http://www.britishcouncil.org/thailand

This is where I sent Nam while we were waiting for her Visa. She was already good at reading and writing, and not bad at speaking, but just needed work on Grammar. There program was great, she improved dramatically, before I met her, she had bought a book on learning english, that explains it in Thai.

They also had an English language school in the Times Square Building where the Lawyer is, on the third floor by the elevators.

If she can't find a place to take her money and teach her english in Bangkok, she is not looking very hard. I saw a places almost everywhere.

She found many places but i need one to help her sound out words, etc. we tried computer class places and after 3 turns out the norm is sitting her down, opening an email then they go outside and talk with their buddies (expensive internet cafe, minimal instruction).

I'm leery of british english (she learned on that and was using quite a few weird english words and seemed confused when I didn't know). Like bobby-police, bollocks (BS), bonnet (trunk), cheeky, fortnight, I can't recall all of them but I guess it depends on if they teach dialect or common usage (with her accent, i'd have no idea what she was saying). Not a big deal but I guess it depends on where the instructor is from. She had an engish thai book but i went through telling her we don't use that, don't say it like that, etc leaving her frustrated. Canadian or American or maybe a rounded UK or AUS would work OK. The book she'd been using would set up sentences in strange ways and she wants to speak conversational English really badly.

...but if it helped your sweetheart, I'll look into it and give them a hollar since it sounds like a larger (not mom and pop shop) establishment.

Edited May 2, 2009 by HYENA

[AaronLV 12]

She found many places but i need one to help her sound out words, etc. we tried computer class places and after 3 turns out the norm is sitting her down, opening an email then they go outside and talk with their buddies (expensive internet cafe, minimal instruction).

I'm leery of british english (she learned on that and was using quite a few weird english words and seemed confused when I didn't know). Like bobby-police, bollocks (BS), bonnet (trunk), cheeky, fortnight, I can't recall all of them but I guess it depends on if they teach dialect or common usage (with her accent, i'd have no idea what she was saying). Not a big deal but I guess it depends on where the instructor is from. She had an engish thai book but i went through telling her we don't use that, don't say it like that, etc leaving her frustrated. Canadian or American or maybe a rounded UK or AUS would work OK. The book she'd been using would set up sentences in strange ways and she wants to speak conversational English really badly.

...but if it helped your sweetheart, I'll look into it and give them a hollar since it sounds like a larger (not mom and pop shop) establishment.

Basically she has go in and they give her a test to place her in a class. They are all British teachers and going through their books, you do get the occasional strange British word, but for the most part is not bad. From what you are saying she is probably going to start in the beginning class and that would be beneficial learning the language. She may want to speak conversational English, however I think it would be much more of a benefit for her to read then to be able to speak as much. Wait til she goes to the store here, she will be lost if she can't read english.

You also should not be so down on her when it comes to saying stuff about learning english from the thai book. It might be that we don't speak that way, however we may actually write/read that way. Any bit of english whether it is UK/American/AUS is going to be a tremendous benefit to her when she gets here. If she thinks Isann people are treated bad, wait until she goes to the grocery store and someone is frustrated cause she can't read or understand something. She will hate the USA.

I think the test for BC was 600 baht, and then the classes were 7800 baht for 5 weeks, 3 hours a day.

[HYENA 4]

She found many places but i need one to help her sound out words, etc. we tried computer class places and after 3 turns out the norm is sitting her down, opening an email then they go outside and talk with their buddies (expensive internet cafe, minimal instruction).

I'm leery of british english (she learned on that and was using quite a few weird english words and seemed confused when I didn't know). Like bobby-police, bollocks (BS), bonnet (trunk), cheeky, fortnight, I can't recall all of them but I guess it depends on if they teach dialect or common usage (with her accent, i'd have no idea what she was saying). Not a big deal but I guess it depends on where the instructor is from. She had an engish thai book but i went through telling her we don't use that, don't say it like that, etc leaving her frustrated. Canadian or American or maybe a rounded UK or AUS would work OK. The book she'd been using would set up sentences in strange ways and she wants to speak conversational English really badly.

...but if it helped your sweetheart, I'll look into it and give them a hollar since it sounds like a larger (not mom and pop shop) establishment.

Basically she has go in and they give her a test to place her in a class. They are all British teachers and going through their books, you do get the occasional strange British word, but for the most part is not bad. From what you are saying she is probably going to start in the beginning class and that would be beneficial learning the language. She may want to speak conversational English, however I think it would be much more of a benefit for her to read then to be able to speak as much. Wait til she goes to the store here, she will be lost if she can't read english.

You also should not be so down on her when it comes to saying stuff about learning english from the thai book. It might be that we don't speak that way, however we may actually write/read that way. Any bit of english whether it is UK/American/AUS is going to be a tremendous benefit to her when she gets here. If she thinks Isann people are treated bad, wait until she goes to the grocery store and someone is frustrated cause she can't read or understand something. She will hate the USA.

I think the test for BC was 600 baht, and then the classes were 7800 baht for 5 weeks, 3 hours a day.

I agree with you. I'm not down on her' she pulled it out and wanted me to go through which one's were brit only and which one's we use. Some pages had lots of brit stuff but for the most part it was OK. She was asking (I'm not one to criticize since any learning on her part I support 100%). I do know she needs to take some classes badly but she opted for the driving class. i told her she has to pass the written test at some point so I'm gonna see if I can get her to school...she needs that most of all since it seems she's losing her foundation. My last visit, her accent was heavier and I had the toughest time understanding her. I'm not sure if it's talking to family or friends, not enough with english speakers or what. If she'd learn english the computer and the net (which she's eager to learn) i tell her would be easier but she wants to learn it all....seems to be avoiding english school but at some point she'll have to go back and get more under her belt since everythign will be a mountain without that base.

Yeah I saw the placement is 600...couldn't find how much the class was. There's a school near her house (she can walk). I wonder if they focus on reading and writiing.

[shawndoc 0]

I'd also like to suggest a laptop and Rosetta Stone English. The newest version is leaps and bounds above the previous versions. It is super configurable in setting up lesson plans, and teaches reading, listening and even helps with testing their accent (using a microphone and saying words in).

[HYENA 4]

I'd also like to suggest a laptop and Rosetta Stone English. The newest version is leaps and bounds above the previous versions. It is super configurable in setting up lesson plans, and teaches reading, listening and even helps with testing their accent (using a microphone and saying words in).

they have this thai to english?

i heard rosetta stone is more "the dog walked across the street" and pimsleur (from what I read) was coversational and gets you speaking day to day quickly BUT pimsleur has no thai to english version and doesn't do reading and writing

she can speak (get he points across) really well by selecting alternative words (pigeon English)which when i'm in a hurry i speak to her using words i know she uses. i need to speak "up" towards her more, definitely. I've been doing it more and more but often when i ask a question using proper English, she says "uh huh" not realizing it's a question also making me realize her response is more cultural politeness not true understanding.

so loading rosetta and using it helps spelling and sounding out words, too?

Thanks everyone! Much appreciated!!!

Edited May 2, 2009 by HYENA

[HYENA 4]

(like a Taxi swearing he knew where we were going, then drops us off at some remote temple just to get a fare)

You have got to be the unluckiest person in the world. On two occasions I had a taxi problem, one was the guy had a brand new cab with a nice stereo and he turned up the music and we were having a great time, and he missed the turn which meant he had to take us further down and around, instead of a 45 baht ride it was 60. Then we were coming back from MBK we decided to take a taxi, and the meter was spinning to fast, the wife made us get out and get another cab. She gets pissed off when ever anyone tried to rip us off. So we caught another cab and cost me close to 100 baht for the two cab rides where as the crooked one would have probably cost me 75, but it was principal

On learning Thai, I took the easy route and learned to count. I figured numbers were quite important, which turns out they are. I have problems when I reach 10K, but anything before that I am good at. It made it much easier when buying stuff, and getting places. As for other words, I can understand a lot more then I can speak.

Not me, my sweetheart! LOL! The taxi was taking her to a jewelry manufacturing market last week and she said it was near xxx temple...he said "sure i know right where that market is" next thing i got a phone call saying she was at the temple and 3 hours of looking and no one knowing anything (no one is on the internet and the phone book is sparse) she came back to her apartment.

I told her we'd never have these issues once she comes here...you get a map and go and make no mistakes or you look on the net and call ahead (or phonebook) but there's no master lists of all these vendors and everything seems to be word of mouth (one advantage to the gossip culture, I suppose)

The crazy cab trips - i don't know if she doesn't communicate effectively or its the taxi end. This happens A LOT where people don't understand her and she's speaking thai not isaan. I told her BKK was the first place where it's up to the taxi if they want to take you somewhere and your destination is sometimes up to them. That's extremely frustrating cause my Thai is poor. For me (in English) I communicate so there's no other way they could misunderstand but then again I don't take taxis much or have to instruct people hardly at all here. I started to think maybe it's a crude language that thai doesn't have succinct communication capabilities like "turn right immediately after the family mart" but they always take the second right...not sure if they have "immediately first road after.." narrowing down in their language or not. One taxi ride had us go back and forth on a freeway 4 times to hit the right exit. I knew where it was but no one was speaking to me so I couldn't ask "do you know this round the right exit?". could see the building but I'd been there before...4 passes and on the 5th (and 25 min later) we made it. I need to learn the basics and figure how they construct their sentences. I really need to take thai 101 in a class or something (beyond conversational) so I can help with the communication also asking "are you positive you know exactly where the market is and you'll take us directly there?" so they can't do the goose chase thing thinking they know....or it could be the incometent taxi thing...that I'm not sure is up to debate (and my learning curve)

Edited May 2, 2009 by HYENA

[scandal 951]

For naughtier stuff, I would prefer sending that privately. A book that serves as an excellent resource for that is called "Thai for Lovers." I had had a copy, but it got swiped by a deranged Thai lady.

Now that sounds like an interesting story!

Tell more!! Tell more!!

Everybody likes deranged Thai lady stories