Comments on: Learning Thai (for the shy)

By: Catherine

Catherine — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 01:05:11 +0000

Thanks MLL :-) it was on my mind for the longest time so out it came! Finally…
Catherine recently posted…Interview: Terry Clayton is Getting by in Thai

By: Miss Language Learning

Miss Language Learning — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 14:25:39 +0000

I love your “learning Thai for shy people” concept!

By: Catherine Wentworth

Catherine Wentworth — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:16:03 +0000

Tod, you are right, I hadn’t thought of you as shy :-D But I do understand that being thrown into an uncomfortable situation like speaking a foreign language would make anyone talk wobbly. I’m studying Thai more with reading and writing as well (not that I’m grand at either). So my chatter isn’t what it should be.

And btw – a six foot + westerner wearing a KISS t-shirt, sitting outside on a stoop chatting with local Thais, is a sight I keep looking for in BKK. Hah!

Thank you for the kind words. And please do not worry about long posts, as they are totally welcome here! The more the merrier.

By: Tod Daniels

Tod Daniels — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 05:51:18 +0000

My posting penchants on some forums are all too well known, and I come across to most people as confident and comfortable in my own skin. However, I still have extreme reticence and reluctance in interacting in thai with thais more than is absolutely necessary. Then again I see the exact same reticence and reluctance with thais when they are confronted with a 6+ foot tall foreigner who rarely smiles, wearing a KISS t-shirt, and walking with a cane which looks more like a club as well.

I go thru the pre-memorized ‘mini-speech’ when I hafta speak to ‘new thais’. Asking in thai if they can speak english, and when I get the ‘pat’ response from them of “พูดภาษาอังกฤษได้นิดหน่อย’, I can answer back in thai, “Oh good, I speak thai at that level too, maybe we can talk, what do you think?” It’s been an ice breaker so many times when I deal with or talk to thais I don’t already know.

I think it’s the shy-ness factor why I’ve spent so much time concentrating on learning to read and type thai, instead of speaking. Not that my speaking skills are pathetic but my reluctance to speak overrides my skill; often times giving me poor diction and/or clarity.

I too find eavesdropping on thais useful in language acquisition and do it in coffee shops, on the sky train, in food courts, just about anywhere really. I’ve also taken to recording thai conversations surreptitiously, especially the group of middle aged, thai guys I sit with outside my apartment at nite. I play them back to see if I understood what they were saying the first time around. What amazes me; when a thai speaks, even when they’re is piss drunk, and their mouth is stuffed with food, the other thais have no problem understanding them, while I’m sitting there dumb as a proverbial post.

Enough self bloviation. (sorry for the long post!) ..

Love your blog, and your topics, keep up the great work! !!

By: Catherine Wentworth

Catherine Wentworth — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 06:59:13 +0000

Lucosity – I just checked Anki and I see there is a free version. But he does warn that it’s difficult to set up. Maybe ask on one of the Thai language forums? (links in my sidebar).

I have not bought the Anki iPhone app. And at £14.99 I’m going to pass. That is a ridiculus price for an iPhone app and I refuse to entertain the notion. Fine that the guy has given his time up to now, but why slam iPhone users with the bill?

iPhone dictionary apps with Thai script only – as my target for reviewing Thai dictionaries was for the English – Thai market, I did not review Thai-Thai dictionaries.

Thai TV Drama is here (odd, I couldn’t find it by searching iTunes).

By: Lucosity

Lucosity — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 04:20:16 +0000

Thanks Catherine.

The Anki site says it is a free download…. its on the Anki site… but I cant get it to work – but as you may have guessed im a rookie with technology. I just got the phone a few days ago. You can go directly to the Anki site, then scroll down to Anki for iphones…. right there is a link to a free version of iAnki – the only fault is that it doesnt support audio on apple devices – but if you’re using it purely for vocab building/memorisation and can read Thai script with the correct tones (i.e intermediate learner) it’d still be useful. But, like I said – I cant get it to work. I take it you paid for Anki at the apps store?

Please give me the link to this new app!
By the way, i’ve been reading your page for a while (i looked at the iphone apps for Thai). Is there one particular dictionary you recommend Catherine?

I want one for advanced Thai, just Thai script is fine (i.e a Thai to Thai dictionary), but I dont want one with transaliteration or a travel based-app.

And, could you point me in the direction of the Thai-TV app – thanks – and when will I be able to get this new app you speak of??!!!

Sorry if this is off topic again – I don’t mean to hijack your thread. Feel free to email me if its better, delete this post, or move it. Thanks so much!