Comments on: Thai Language Thai Culture: What’s There “to Know”?

By: Catherine Wentworth

Catherine Wentworth — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:49:02 +0000

Hi Hugh, sounds like you had a great time! I was also off for a brief (surprise) break, but in Kanchanaburi.

Sometimes I wish I could be a fly on wall. A recorder would work too (then I could break the conversations down in my own time).
.-= Catherine´s last blog ..Learn Thai with Psycho-Cybernetics =-.

By: Hugh Leong

Hugh Leong — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:33:11 +0000

Update:
I just returned from a short vacation. One of the days was spent at my wife’s college reunion. At my table was a former governor, an air force general, a dean of a university, the former head of the Rural Electricity Board of Thailand and currently a consultant with Thailand’s renewable energy program, the current head of the Electricity Board of Chiang Mai, and a few teachers. Everyone knew each other since college (except me and some other spouses), and most people had imbibed quite a lot, so the conversation was quite casual. In a different situation we might have spoken differently. So, like I said, “Listen to how those around you speak” and “be aware of your surroundings” and you’ll be fine as long as you know how to switch your levels of formality. Fun was had by all.

By: Catherine Wentworth

Catherine Wentworth — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:22:11 +0000

Nelson, welcome to WLT :-)

‘I’ve been told the best way to handle it is to ignore them but act like you’re listening (especially when they are giving you a really long explanation about something you knew in the last decade)’

That sounds like a good plan (I hope I have the patience!) I certainly wouldn’t want to be perceived rude (enough snafus happening naturally).

Martyn, I agree, in that English is similar. I would not speak (or even sit) in the same manner around my MIL as I would friends.

As for the situation being remote… when you get a Thai teacher, they will expect to be treated politely. It’s a teacher thing.

By: Martyn

Martyn — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:25:06 +0000

Hugh I have got to strongly disagree with you, I have no problem urinating it’s just the rate of frequency that concerns me.

Hugh/Catherine – I have been aware for years that the Thai’s have more formal words they use when talking to people of a higher social rank but I have never seen the topic explained. You could argue that English is similar in that if you were speaking to Royalty for example your choice of word would hopefully be on a higher plane. Young people conversing with their grand parents would in many cases talk ‘up’ and omit slang.

This does make learning Thai even more difficult but as Talen points out the chances of getting in that situation are remote whilst at the basic learning stage. Perhaps a tight lip is required at the local politician’s birthday party and a nappy at the doctor’s surgery. Or both for both,(thought I’d finish with some really bad English).
.-= Martyn´s last blog ..Thailand Blogs – October 09 Review =-.

By: Nelson Mathavorn

Nelson Mathavorn — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:25:59 +0000

You are right about the Thai language having some kind of social rank/respect system. Sometimes a simple word like ‘Roo’ (know) can turn oh so bad.

In English it’s usually fine to say ‘I know’ when someone tells you something you already know, but if you were to say ‘Roo’ (Know) or ‘Roo Laew’ (I already know) to a Thai person when they are telling you something, that is considered very rude and disrespectful.

I’ve been told the best way to handle it is to ignore them but act like you’re listening (especially when they are giving you a really long explanation about something you knew in the last decade)

:)
.-= Nelson Mathavorn´s last blog ..words that start with ‘Gor Gai’ (ก.ไก่) =-.

By: Catherine Wentworth

Catherine Wentworth — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:38:53 +0000

I like the idea of knowing when to use formal words; knowing what their impact can be. My Thai teacher prefers formal, but she will also point out when it is overkill. I enjoy watching her ‘work the room’, especially when she changes from one form to the other!