[Chooriwrocaxz]

That is altogether too true. I've been teaching english in Japan for four years now, and even while I thought I was being an understanding teacher, I changed my mind about a lot of things when I started studying Japanese full-time. It is difficult for people who have never tried to communicate in another language to comprehend what the other person is experiencing.

The one thing that most makes me angry when I see a tourist here doing the same thing is that tendency to get louder, and show their aggrivation. There's no need for it. You really ought to be apologetic, if anything. I mean who is the one that doesn't understand in this situation? The local, who lives their life just fine and has no trouble communicating with anyone else, or the tourist that can't manage to ask how much a ticket to Kanchannaburi is?

I thought it was funny though, that the first post in reaction to the terrible backpacker story earlier was an American apologizing. She never even said that the backpacker was American. Just a western woman. Really, you guys shouldn't be so sensitive.

[obegeLype]

What's really funny is when you find out you have been saying something *almost* right for years. Gotta have a sense of humor, i guess :^)

del

[Buincchotourb]

As a linguist I have to disagree with Seamon; no offence intended. He writes: it'll be even better if you try broken english in their slang... for example, when you say "I don't understand what you are saying". You could say " me no understand you speak what".

On occasion when in the compnay of other farang I have heard this approach used...even with Thai people who are well-educated. I would think that this must insult their intelligence. Most Thais have studied English for several years (and nowadays English is taught even in primary schools). To talk Tarzan-talk to Thais is not only confusing, but it can also result in their speaking incorrect English because that's what they hear foreigners speaking. Really not a good outcome.

I've found that when using correct grammar--as much as possible (maybe even more so than we are accustomed to!)--the Thais do understand and are able to communicate well. Speaking slowly and clearly, and using easy or basic vocabulary often helps with shy Thais. But dropping plurals, tenses, pronouns, articles, and the like usually results in reinforcing bad usage. Moreover, to others listening, it can make the speaker sound pretty silly, too.

[alexbookhyip]

OoOo I have something to comment about this. Well, while my brother and I was on the internet in Lao we saw a foreigner and she was telling the owner why the computer was going soooo slow and she wanted a faster computer and well, she was talking pretty fast too fast for other foreigners who are foreign to English and he couldn't understand her so he had to get someone else to translate what she was saying. Also while at the same place there was a foreigner asking the owner where the bank was and she kept repeating the question over and over without no response. Well, DURRRRRRRR the man doesn't speak English so you know!!!! Just make sure when you can not speak Thai, just maybe perhaps ask them if they speak English first and talk to that person very slowly so they can insert the message into their brain and the solution will be much better comprehended OK? Also if I was an average Thai person over there in Thailand, it would somewhat get on my nerves if I was having a bad day. And that's just MY opinion!!!!

[RussellPG]

When I'm out in Thailand I try to surround myself with non-english speakers thus forcing me to communicate in Thai. I find it has a really good effect and improves my speech massively. It can sometimes be frustrating but I ask them to speak slower if I don't understand.

I feel speaking a countries language while you are there shows the upmost respect for them. More English should learn some basic language of the country they are visiting. It's not really drummed in to us at a young age because we can get away with English being known worldwide :/ Laziness tbh.

The broken English approach sounds so stupid to me too. Why should a person with English as their mother-tongue teach bad grammar? It's best to speak normally as you would any other person you know, perhaps a little slower and clearer. Any new words or slang they can simply ask about.

[Cigarsstoreonline]

Quote[/b] (rcrowe @ April 22 2003,12:15)]If a native Thai understands my English, I call that a bonus.

[/QUOTE]
I agree with you. I 'll totally call that a bonus for being able to speak english to me

[mrPronmaker]

Quote[/b] (Vali @ April 17 2003,21:25)]Hehe British-English Where is the WC?

Sounds like a flooded living-room, no? And what about "powder room", "rest room" and "ladies lounge". I just looked up the word "rest" in a dictionary and it defined it as "peace, ease, or refreshment resulting from sleep or the cessation of an activity." Can you figure that out? You could spend all day laughing about the idiosyncrasies of the English language. It makes an excellent source of material for stand-up comics.

[Thomaswhitee]

Maybe more people in the world speak chinese as a first language, but the chines language is irrelavent when your travelling around Africa, South america or Europe.
English is by far the largest spocken second language in the world, and is the only international language, I admire people who can speak more than just english like my self, I'm learning Thai as my second language but I know one thing I'm very lucky I can speak english, becase every time I travel overseas I can find just about every one can speak just a few words of english to get buy

[EsAllCams]

Well of course whatever is said here is going to be a sweeping generalisation, but I guess that's what is being asked for

What I think is that Thai people really enjoy when you speak Thai. Even if you are horrible, the fact that you are trying to speak and have tried to learn raises their bar of respect for you... You aren't just there to live off the Thais and expect them to know English and help you, you are trying to help yourself

On the other hand, in Bangkok (as that is the area I am most familiar with) many people (especially younger people) know some English so it is fairly easy to get by with little Thai. I still think you should try out your Thai though. For example you could say "hong nam yuu nai" but have horrendous pronunciation such that they wouldn't understand. Then you could revert to English and say "where is the bathroom" and then they would probably be able to understand (either by English or by putting two and two together)...

Just my advice ... It's always fun to practice that Thai!

[ArrereGarhync]

i do love to learn thai...it is beli interesting..it is like singing..each word has different tone..i myself oso scare of embrassing myself..keke

[haittiweerved]

Just my two cents

Because I look Thai, I always found it really fun to get together with some Thai friends and point out tourists and shout out, 'farang!!'

Jonny

[chuecafressds]

I believe practise makes perfect. Me facing the pronuciation problems when I just started learning Thai. But must be daring enough to speak and not afraid to be embarassed. To be able to speak better, I suppose the only way is to learn the characters. I've been through that and it proves right.

[Loonerisav]

Quote[/b] ]All Thai people love it when foreigners try speaking Thai. Even a poor attempt at "hello" or "thank you" in Thai will have everyone smiling and clapping at your efforts. Don't worry about making a fool of yourself or that the Thai people seem to be laughing at you. It is just their way of covering up embarrassment. They try to diffuse a situation by laughing. Keep trying!

I've always wondered how Thai locals felt when tourists attempted to speak their lingo. Now I have my question answered without even asking...

[Stasher11]

Its good to know English and it surely helps in our world. However, English is quite a burden for lots of folks in my country and some other too - because more than just a language its considered a status symbol and an entry barrier to good opportunities for those who do not know it. Its something about the history of how English spread?

But surely its very important to learn the language & culture of the place we live in. So, if one chooses to live in Thailand one should try to learn Thai. For we have our first duty to pay back the land we eat from. Same applies to anyone who chooses to live in Australia. Having said that, I know that some people genuinely have a difficulty to speak new languages. It could be fear, estrangement, culture thing or whatever but they do not always mean insult. And some just pick up a language within months of their stay. And some like us on learning thai have the opportunity of having fun while learning!!

[penpizdes]

Quote[/b] ]You could spend all day laughing about the idiosyncrasies of the English language. It makes an excellent source of material for stand-up comics.

I totally agree!!!

[sabbixsweraco]

As an American, the story of that rude woman offends me. Please know that not all Americans are that way.
I was amzed in Thailand to find how many people speak very good English. It put me to shame! I am trying hard to learn Thai, and it is not easy. I am afraid to speak Thai to Thai people as I cannot grasp the concept of the different tones, and I don't want to be laughed at or misunderstood. My mother-in-law assures me that the laughing is good natured and that the people are so pleased to hear me speak the language, however poorly. I don't want to say dog when I mean horse. or say anything naughty or rude.

[Aw1HhC0m]

Quote[/b] (Vali @ April 15 2003,10:38)]"where is the bathroom?"

Why would anyone want a bathroom? Do you want to take a shower in a stranger's house or a department store?

When speaking English to Thai people, always speak slowly and avoid slang or words/phrases that are not widely used. If they don't understand your first attempt don't keep trying the same phrase slower and louder until you are shouting at them. Instead, rephrase what you are saying. If you don't have much luck with "Where is the bathroom?" then try "Where is the toilet?"

All Thai people love it when foreigners try speaking Thai. Even a poor attempt at "hello" or "thank you" in Thai will have everyone smiling and clapping at your efforts. Don't worry about making a fool of yourself or that the Thai people seem to be laughing at you. It is just their way of covering up embarrassment. They try to diffuse a situation by laughing. Keep trying!

The Thai governemt recognize that English is seen as an international language. As tourism is a very important revenue earner for the country, they have taken steps to teach more English across the country. As a result, it is now compulsory for students to learn English from Primary 1.

[obegeLype]

When people travell the world it is hard to communicate unless you know english as this is the only international language that can be spoken every where in the world. It would be nice to be able to say hello in the language in every country you visit.
But what is a big problem in australia where people speak english is there are so many people who live in australia for like 30 or 40 years like my X girlfriends mother who never learned how to say hello to me in english and is still thinks she is living in lebanone as she only socializes and work for people from this community, it's like having communities of small countries in side a large country, this is the big problem of high migration in australia and you are lucky in thailand not to have this problem. In sydney where I come from about 30% of people cannot speak english well enough for me to understand there conversation now that is enoying when I cannot exsplain how to direct a TAXI driver in my own house, I had less trouble in Thailand directing the Taxi drivers because at least they could understand my english.
Good on you Thailand for your basic english.