tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609612944219692121.post3401629922138996125..comments2023-05-23T18:19:10.058+07:00Comments on Jonny Foreigner: Preparation before learning to read ThaiJonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12803116544687008923noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609612944219692121.post-20901767127512058112010-11-26T14:41:34.246+07:002010-11-26T14:41:34.246+07:00"It really is true to say that reading Thai w..."It really is true to say that reading Thai will help learn and pronounce words as Thai is such a phonetic language"...I totally agree! I started to teach myself to read a couple of months ago, I only know about half of the consonents and vowels...and very few of the rules. My only disappointment in starting my course this week, was that we are using yet another (and different) transliteration system. I am continuing to learn the script in my own time and in all fairness, the first 20 hours of the course is Conversational Thai...some students will leave after the 20 hours is finished, so learning script would be pointless and time consuming, for them.Cooeenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609612944219692121.post-57155820754939972372010-11-11T13:27:44.119+07:002010-11-11T13:27:44.119+07:00Hi Paul,
Absolutely, looking at learning Thai lik...Hi Paul,<br /><br />Absolutely, looking at learning Thai like a journey (as many learners do) is the best way in my opinion. Ever step forward, not matter how slowly or seemingly little, brings you closer. It also shows that the learning never stops as you are also travelling.<br /><br />Seems obvious to me (too) that if you are a foreigner learning the language has its benefits, but I know so few farang who do so. Not such a big deal in Bangkok, but in the provinces not knowing much Thai is a social disability.Jonhttp://www.jonathan-russell.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609612944219692121.post-32046955410971452742010-11-11T08:50:20.784+07:002010-11-11T08:50:20.784+07:00Great Stuff Jon, I agree with everything you say. ...Great Stuff Jon, I agree with everything you say. I often hear people claiming that Thai is impossible language - this is just an excuse in my opinion. If you try to learn Thai you will get better at it over time- of course some of us are a lot slower than others. I've made many mistakes learning Thai over the years and I'm not as fluent as I'd like to be, but there has definitely been a lot of progress. We might not all reach the same level as some of the more fluent Thai speakers, but so what. Those who play golf don't quit just because they're not good enough to turn pro. <br /><br />I also understand your comments about your son - I'm in the same boat. I would hate the idea of my son speaking a language in which I can't communicate - it would be like missing out on an important part of his life. I also don't like the idea of living in place where I've no idea what people are saying around me. I've seen westerners get taken advantage of by the locals - in many instances this wouldn't have happened if that person could speak a bit of Thai.Paul Garriganhttp://paulgarrigan.com/noreply@blogger.com