Women Learning Thai: Thai Language Learning

Thai-English Readers with Mp3s

2009-01-07T04:19:20Z

Back, back, back to kinder…

Going back to kindergarten. Hmmm. But, if that’s what it takes to read Thai, then so be it.

Thai is a tonal language, so being able to listen while you read is especially important for those clinging to training wheels (like me). And (I hear) even for intermediate readers.

Some Thai-English books for beginners will come with sound, but most won’t. When I got into my mad buying spree (still there), I didn’t realise the significance. I now have a nice pile sitting here, waiting.

But before I get to the Thai-English readers for beginners, I’d like to share tips for listening to Thai language mp3s.

Beginning courses have slower recordings. Once out of the ’see spot run’ range, you are rushed into normal speed. As you should be.

But for basic beginners on fast forward, well, your brain will cease to exist.

So this is what you do…

Audacity and Thai readers…

Download a free copy of Audacity (don’t forget to install the LAME MP3 encoder).
Import your mp3 of choice into Audacity by dragging, then dropping the mp3 icon onto the Audacity program icon.
Once open (if needed) click on the magnifying glass with the + until you see a clear distinction between sound clumps (look for blobs between flat lines).
To select a sentence, drag your curser over a clump of blue.
While it’s selected, click on the green arrow and adjust your selection until satisfied.
In Audacity’s top nav, select effect >> change speed.
Move the percent change slider, then click on the preview button until happy.
Click the ok button, then the undo (command Z for a Mac, ctrl Z for PC) once you get back (you don’t want to slow down a selection twice).
Select everything (command/ctrl A) and go back to the top nav to effect >> repeat last effect.
Again, go back up to the top nav, but this time to file >> export as >> mp3.
Save the file under a different name.

Listen using iTunes, RealPlayer, QuickTime or similar. Or, do what I do. Select sentences inside Audacity and keep hitting that green button as you read. Easy.

Finally, the online readers…

Manii Readers
Manii is one of the first Thai readers. First as in first on the ground as well as a first reader. On this site you’ll find pdf and mp3 downloads for Manii Reader 1 and 2, as well as online vocabulary tests. It’s old and clunky, but it’s there if you need it.

Read Thai with Manee and Friends
LearningThai.com has a modern Manee (Manii) reader. As there is no direct url, select Read with Manee from the nav on your left. Included are 22 lessons with sound, a vocabulary list, flashcards, tests, and more tests.

SEAlang Lab: Just Read
This is the motherload of online Thai-English reading. Sounds are lacking for whole paragraphs, but when you click on individual words the search takes you to a dictionary with sound and video. It’s powerful, it’s loaded down with Mary Haas, and it goes from beginner to beyond.

Hard copy readers with sound…

There are several online bookstores selling Thai-English books. Two of the top Thai publishers are Nation Egmont and Nanmeebooks. But, for basic beginners (unless you have a Thai by your side), finding an online Thai bookshop in English is needed.

For children’s books, Buy Thai Books is the place to be. And mentioned previously, their Thai Alphabet Flashcards with English are handy for beginners.

From the list below I ordered the four Disney Pixar books as well as the thirty Aesop Tales from Buy Thai Books. The recordings are clear and professional, with Pixar being particularly cheerful.

101 Dalmatians
One book. Illustrated. Thai and English. 24 pages.

Alladin
One book. Illustrated. 24 pages.

Disney Pixar
Four books: Toy Story 2, Finding Nemo, Cars and Monster, Inc. Illustrated.

Pinocchio
One book. Illustrated. 24 pages.

Aesop Tales
Thirty Aesop Tales books written in Thai and English. Illustrated. 24 pages each.

Pocahontas
One book. Illustrated. 24 pages.

Snow White
One book. Illustrated. 24 pages.

The Lion King
One book. Illustrated. 24 pages.

Intermediate online Thai-English reading resources…

Note: this is not a complete list so expect it to be edited.

Gor's World
Stories from a Thai teenager.

Languages on the Web
Daisy Stores: Night Watch, A Nice Little Trip, The Bookworm, Daisy Macbeth.

SEAlang Lab: Just Read
SEAlang gets a double mention for its long list of English-Thai on offer.

Thai Fiction in Translation
Translated modern Thai literature, by Marcel Barang.

Thai On-Line Library - Bitext Corpus
Thai and (mostly) English parallel translations.

Translating newspaper English to Thai
A pity, this section of the Bangkok Post is no longer updated (unless I’m missing it elsewhere). But the information is there, for now.

Advanced online Thai reading resources…

dungtrin.com and multimedia.dungtrin.net
Thai Literature audio books. Download their pdfs and mp3s files to read along.

Enjoy…

Mnidcraft: The Art of Language

2009-01-03T14:10:32Z

I first came across Stuart Jay Raj when I took his entertaining Cracking Thai Fundamentals course. As shy as I am (he certainly gets you hopping!), I enjoyed it so much that I took it twice (as did others).

Stu is one of those enviable polyglots who couldn’t stop at a handful of languages, but went for 15 and counting. In Cracking Thai Fundamentals, he touches a little bit on his language background. And for those who missed CTF, you can see more what makes Stu at his Joh Jai and The Tonight Show interviews on YouTube.

Now, I know I’ll never be a real polyglot. Most people won’t. But I do have a desire to learn one language well - Thai. And maybe at a later time, I’ll brush up on my French and get back into Russian.

And that’s where Mnidcraft comes in.

Mnidcraft empowers anyone with a will to succeed to develop the same aptitude for languages and communication as what Stuart Jay Raj possesses based on powerful NLP modeling principles.

NLP modeling is the practice of isolating essential patterns that makes someone successful and duplicating them into others in a way that they are practiced unconsciously.

Stuart has carefully designed activities where you will not only learn the secrets that have crafted his aptitude for language, but will also have these skills, habits and knowledge embedded within you, breathing new life into your relationship with language.

The first Mnidcraft course is being held at the Fraser Suites, Bangkok, from 9.00am to 12.30pm, Saturday, January 17, 2009.

If you are interested in other dates, contact Stuart via his blog, Behind the Curtain, or via RadioBangkok, or join his Mnidcraft FaceBook group.

Enjoy…

New Years Thai Language Resolution With the NOW Habit

2008-12-31T08:59:47Z

I’m not much of a New Years Resolution type of gal. But, as WLT posts generally go midweek (usually on a Wednesday)… and as this Wednesday is New Years Eve… no real excuse not to.

To get a jump on this post, I created two to-do lists.

My New Years Resolution…

Study Thai first thing (before answering emails even).
Grab a Thai laden iPod when heading out.
Practice writing Thai script a minimum of 20 minutes a day.
Review new/old words 3 times a day, minimum ten minutes each.
Read Thai a minimum of 20 minutes per day.
Speak more to Thais (in Thai, not English).
Arrange to spend time with a Thai host family.

Tools for keeping a New Years Resolution…

Set up the Timer for Mac OS X… and use it.
Journal Thai lessons using the Mac Notepad.
Or keep a Language Learning Log, or even a Thai language journal.
Add to my Thai Language Wishlist at amazon.com for brownie points.
Read The Now Habit.

And then The Now Habit arrived. When reading, I just KNEW I had to start all over again because without a doubt, I am a THAI LANGUAGE LEARNING PROCRASTINATOR! Groan…

The NOW Habit: The procrastination habit catches people in a vicious cycle: get overwhelmed, feel pressured, fear failure, try harder, work longer, feel resentful, lose motivation, and then procrastinate.

That’s me. Totally. The more I should study my Thai lessons, the more I dig myself into a hole of work, work and more work. I get everything done BUT learn Thai. Like this blog…

The NOW Habit: People don’t procrastinate just to be ornery or because they are irrational. They procrastinate because it makes sense, given how vulnerable they feel to criticism, failure, and their own perfectionism… there is one main reason why we procrastinate: it rewards us with temporary relief from stress.

Neil Fiore is on to something because I’m not lazy, I’m the total opposite. I’m a workaholic. And due to a misguided aim at perfectionism, I use any excuse to avoid what I fear the most. Failure. So I’ll grab what I know I’m good at, and dance around learning Thai.

My new to-do list re: The NOW Habit…

Procrastinate as usual for a week.
Record my day in sections: morning, mid-morning, afternoon, evening.
Set priorities: low, medium, high + urgent.
Keep a procrastination log: activity, thoughts, justification, solution, results.
Make changes suggested by The Now Habit.
Listen to free mp3s from Neil.

There’s (obviously) much more to the process, so if you are a Thai language learning procrastinator too, be sure to purchase The Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free Play.

A bit about Neil Foire and The Now Habit…

First published in 1989 then updated in 2007 by psychologist, author and executive coach Neil Foire, The Now Habit is the result of 30 years plus hands-on experience with procrastinators, like me. In his portfolio are companies such as Bechtel, AT&T, and Levi Strauss. Neil’s articles can be found at The New England Journal of Medicine, Psychology Today, Fitness, Entrepreneur and more. And you can catch more of Neil Foire at fiore.com.

Btw - this post was inspired by several posts at All Japanese All The Time Dot Com: Why Do People Who Have All the Time in the World Get Nothing Done? which sent me to The Now Habit: Language Acquisition as a Long-Term Project where I found The Now Habit.

Happy New Years one and all.
Enjoy…

Subliminal Thai… ehh?

2008-12-29T14:12:27Z

And a happy subliminal Xmas to all…

It’s Xmas day. You’re feeling fat and sassy. You’ve either been working on Thai, or thinking about working on Thai. Or you wouldn’t be here.

And one night when I was feeling sassy too, I looked into subliminal Thai.

And why not? It was after 11pm. I was tired of reading, but not tired enough. And to insomniacs, most anything looks good.

Fill my iPod filled with water sounds? Rain? Waves? Ocean? All rolling around? Sounds good.

Pick an mp3, any mp3…

Learn Thai Subliminal
Price: US$1 | Time: 20.10 | Sound: Rain on flooded concrete.

Learn Thai Subliminal
Price: US$11.97 | Time: 10.00 x 4 | Sound: Two ocean waves, one water plops, one silent.

PCD Learn Thai
Price: US$9.99 | Time: 10.00 x 2 | Sound: One ocean waves, one silent.

There’s even a Subliminal Thai Windows screen saver
Price: US$10.00. The rest I haven’t a clue as I don’t use Windows.

Yeah, yeah, I really did whip out my Paypal. Well, except for the screen saver, I bought the lot. Can’t sleep + Paypal = r us.

My Subliminal Thai pick…

So, what’s my top choice? It’d have to be Brave Wave Entertainment’s PCD Learn Thai. The waves come in low, from under your stomach. Then roll up over your body. Ohhh, pretty fine for US$9.99.

But instead of throwing money at subliminal mp3s, why not grab a CD full of free downloads to help support the running of LearningThai.com? And in the process, help your Thai language learning mind as well. Your choice.

On a side note…

For the photo, I arranged Thai reindeer bought on the sidewalks of Paholyothin last December. Pulling from the top cupboard, my hair and arms were covered with a fine dark dust.

On tiptoe, I see a neat pile where deer once were. A tall pile dotted with bugs. Nothing moving.

So they weren’t going after the pine cones. It was the deer. Bangkok deer.

Writing this post, I’m swatting grains off the keys. Blowing more off my boobs.

And thinking it was a good thing my termite company poisoned me sick for two weeks.

Glad to know… ehh?

Ho ho ho… and enjoy…

Top Books on Thailand and Thai Culture

2008-12-16T08:04:57Z

Booking a cultural Christmas…

With exactly one week to go before Xmas, there is just enough time to shop for the Thai language learner in your life.

And while these books are not about learning Thai, they are about Thailand. Equally important.

About the list… I asked friends and forums for their favourite books on Thailand and Thai culture. I received 50 over. Out of those, I chose what I believe are the top of the lot.

About the books… after procuring my list, I contacted Danny at DCO books to fill in the holes. From personal experience, it’s cheaper to have DCO send via motorcycle taxi, then waste time and taxi money fighting BKK traffic (sometimes for days at a time).

About the photo… In a Mon (มอญ) settlement in Bangkok, children still wear their hair in the old-fashioned topknot (จุก - jòok) from centuries ago.

Thai language. Thai history. Thai culture. There is so much to learn.

Understanding Thailand and Thai culture…

Bangkok Inside Out
By Daniel Ziv and Guy Sharett

Do’s and Don’ts in Thailand
By Kenny Yee and Catherine Gordon

Inside Thai Society
By Niels Mulder

Spiritual Abodes of Thailand
By Barry Broman and William Warren

Thailand, a Short History
By David Wyatt

Thai Ways
By Denis Segaller

The Spirit Houses of Thailand
By Peter Reichart and Pathawee Khongkhunthian

Very Thai, Everyday Popular Culture
By Philip Corawel-Smith (verythai.com)

Working with the Thais
By Henry Holmes

More Living Thai Ways
By Michael KellerClaxton + Alison Woo (Living Thai Ways is also good)

And for living in Bangkok, there is no better bible than the Bangkok Guide.

Agree? Disagree?
Enjoy…

Thai Language Cheat Sheets

2008-12-10T08:44:41Z

Learning any language takes a lot of work, and Thai takes the cake. But, there are ways to make it easier. Call them cheat sheets. Call them shortcuts. Whatever. I call them mighty fine.

Thai language cheat sheet (free download)…

This intensive and well-researched cheat sheet includes classes, tone marks, clusters, symbols, final consonants and more (beginners will need keep a grammar book handy). English, transliteration and Thai script.

Thai Language Cheat Sheet A4 (Pdf download 124 kb)

Thai Language Cheat Sheet Letter (Pdf download 124 kb)

(thanks NguuMuu)

Thai language building terms (free download)…

Too late for my Thai building experience, this handy sheet covers ceilings, foundations and footings, windows and doors, electricity and bathrooms. The Thai script is linked to thai2english.com. English, transliteration and Thai script.

Thai Building Terms (Excel download 38 kb)

(thanks Andy)

Thai vocabulary for restaurants (free download)…

Chanchao’s Thai Travel Menu
Vocabulary and advice for ordering at Thai restaurants (meat, veg, noodles, rice, etc). If it doesn’t have everything you need, refer to Enjoy Thai Food for more. English, transliteration and Thai script.

Thai alphabet shortcut (US$15 download)…

60 Minutes to Learn the Thai Alphabet
Readers of WLT will already read know about 60 min from Top Thai Language Learning Resources and The Easy Way for Beginners to Read and Write Thai. Yes, there’s that word again. Easy. And it is easy to learn the Thai alphabet with 60 min. Dead easy.

Basic Thai vocabulary cheat sheet (US$15.95 download)…

Thai Survival Course
Using memory association tricks (mnemonics), the vocabulary touches on restaurants, hotels, travelling, shopping, emergencies, etc. Although not extensive, it does give tips for creating mnemonics on your own. It’s a MS Word download, so edit in your new words and reprint. Easy. English and transliteration, no Thai script.

Basic Thai phrases cheat sheet (US$$8.95 + postage)…

Thai Fetch-a-Phrase
Over 30 sentences with a rather decent list of nouns, verbs, adjectives, time modifers, etc (my Thai teacher was quite chuffed). The idea is to mix and match with the appropriate sentence. Quite clever really. The downside? The folded laminated sheet is too bulky for carrying around. English and transliteration, no Thai script.

Basic Thai phrases (US$$6.95 + postage)…

Instant Thai
As it says on the front cover of the book - express 1,000 different ideas with 100 key words and phrases. I quite like the idea of Instant Thai as it’d go well with Thai Fetch-a-Phrase. English, transliteration and Thai script included.

Thai language phrase books…

As I’m out of time, a future post will review Thai language phrase books.

Note: This post will continue to be edited to include cheat sheets and shortcuts. If you have any to share, please contact me.

Enjoy…

Thai Bumper Stickers 3

2008-12-06T00:38:59Z

เเม่ ยาย ไม่ ช่วย รวย เอง ก็ ได้
mae yaai mâi chûay ruay eng gôr dâi
Even if my mother-in-law doesn’t help, I’ll get rich on my own.
[See post to listen to audio]

รู้ หน้า ไม่รู้ ใจ
róo nâa mâi-róo jai
You might know his face, but you don’t know his heart.
[See post to listen to audio]

ขยัน ไม่ อดตาย
k-yan mâi òt-dtaai
You are hardworking, not dead.
[See post to listen to audio]

NOTE: This is a continuation from Thai Bumper Stickers 1.

enjoy…

Thai Bumper Stickers 2

2008-12-06T04:35:13Z

เมีย ชึ้อ สอด รถ ชึ้อ ผ่อน
mia séu sot rót séu pòn
He paid the dowry in cash, but got a loan for his car.
[See post to listen to audio]

มี หมา เป็น เพื่อน ดี กว่า มี เพื่อน ใจ หมา
mee măa bpen pêuan dee gwàa mee pêuan jai măa
Having a dog as a friend is nicer than having a friend with a dog heart.
[See post to listen to audio]

NOTE: This is a continuation from Thai Bumper Stickers 1.

enjoy…

Thai Alphabet Song

2008-11-19T01:18:58Z

So there really is a Thai Alphabet Song…

In a previous post, The Thai Alphabet Poem, I made the comment that it was more of a poem than a song. But after skimming through YouTube…

Here’s little Hanna singing along to what sounds like a Thai Alphabet Song on CD.

Aren’t they just the sweetest things?

And here it all comes together via a kids cartoon (something I should have had before translating the Thai Alphabet Poem in the previous post, but hey).

Sounds like singing to me… you?

And I’m thinking… that if they can do it… so can we. Yes?

Additional YouTube sweeties…

TonSai
ก ไก่
กเอ๋ยกไก่
ก.ไก่
ก.ไก่2

As always, enjoy!

Xmas Stocking Stuffers With a Thai Script Twist

2008-11-24T16:01:49Z

‘Tis the season. Again…

So, what does one get for the budding Thai language learner this year? Or even for yourself, as a pat on the back for all those Thai lessons you’ve slogged through in 2008?

T-shirts with Thai script are not too shabby of a stocking stuffer. And if the gift matters, here’s a tip - avoid buying t-shirts at JJ Market. I’m sure some are great, but mine became a soggy pile of disconnected mush after the first wash (quite shabby, at that). And while it was funny as in ‘ha ha’, it was a waste of a gift giving moment.

If you head over to Line THAI under >> Catalogue >> Line THAI Graphic, you’ll see a range of t-shirts, polo shirts and more. All made from quality materials (I grab a few every time I head off-station and haven’t had any complaints yet).

Decked out in Thai script, there are shirts with Thai numbers, the full name of Bangkok (whooh), and even Thai script forming Thailand the country. Up to you, but my combo of choice has been gold lettering on a soft black back. Classy. Whatever you choose, it’s a doable stocking stuffer for the budding Thai language fan in your life. Or you.

If t-shirts aren’t on, then perhaps a Thai character pendant from Sistema would suit.

It’s not a serious gift as in diamonds and such. It is what it is. A gift that says you appreciate their Thai language efforts.

Pat pat pat… I know I appreciate mine. And as my name starts with a C, I chose a large silver ค to hang from a short silver chain. Nice.

If you are in the BKK area, both can be found at Paragon Siam (and most likely at Emporium too). At Paragon, head downstairs and swing a left (hugging the Gourmet Food section). You can’t miss it.

Ok, I lied. It is possible to miss. So, if you wander around without any pleasure, just give me a holler and I’ll walk you through.

If you need to purchase online, order from their individual websites, Line THAI and Sistema.

Heart Talk by Christopher G Moore is another great gift for a loved one at Xmas (read my review of Heart Talk if you have the time).

Hey Chris! I’d LOVE one of your Heart Talk t’s.
(You can keep the girl…)