And if you want to stay in Thailand for a while, you should at least know about its existence. 8. The tone of a syllable is also determined by a combination of the syllables type, the class of consonant, the length of the vowel, and the tone marker. From 1780-1927, Siam was ruled by a dynasty that was overthrown in a coup by the newly formed Peoples Party. But more than anything, learning the Thai language will help you understand Thai culture better. They teach and communicate with their students in Chinese daily. Isaan. This is because producing some of the sounds in the Thai language requires one to make specific shapes with the mouth and position the tongue in ways you have probably not done before (3). But you can also say that its thanks to the colder climate of the region. Shopping in Thailand - Things to Buy, Street Shopping & Malls in Thailand! [Online] [Cited: February 5, 2022.] Photo by, here to learn more about our customized cultural training. This dialect is spoken in the North of Thailand. 6. The first one is the Thaipod101 online courses that many foreigners recommend for other foreigners (8). The words for food and rice are the same. However, it would help to keep in mind that Thai people sometimes use the Object + Verb + Subject (OVS) order when they want to emphasize the Object (4). [Online] [Cited: February 5, 2022.] Lao is spoken by about 27%, and Chinese 12%. I use Swype, for example, and have downloaded the Thai language in the Swype settings. Did you know that saying anything negative against the Thai royal family can land you in jail? And besides, being able to communicate with store clerks and vendors is convenient. Ling-app. This makes the Thai language a tricky language to learn, especially for foreigners whose native language does not have such tones. In theory, you should give your card to the most senior person first. Contact directly. link to The Most Effective Ways to Learn Thai (3 Best Methods). Yes, learning all the forty-four consonants and twenty-eight vowels isnt easy. Social stratification demographics in Thailand have changed considerably over the last fifty years. English is the most common 2nd language choice for Thai people. If the reasons stated above have successfully convinced you to start learning the Thai language, here are some basic Thai words that every beginner should know (8). This is caused by inner political conflicts and the countrys not-so-rich economy. The Thai language is part of a large umbrella group called Tai, or Tai-Kadai. As you might already know, Thai, is the most spoken language in Thailand. Many more speak it as a second language. Practice your skills with mini-games or track your progress \with fun quizzes. The Thai language was first written in 1283, and the official language is still very close to its original form. It For example, Chinese has 4, while Thai has 5. You wont need any bargaining skills when shopping at department stores and malls. Because when Thai people explain their regional language, they compare them with the Central. And as a result, communication using multiple dialects can be stress-inducing. You just have to pronounce with a Thai accent. Written material should be available in both English and Thai. Khop khun khrup/ka ( / ) = Thank you, Mai ben rai khrup/ka ( / ) = Nevermind/ Its okay/ No problem, Phom/chan phut phasa Thai mai dai khrup/ka ( / ) = I cannot speak Thai, Ga-ru-na phut cha cha khrup/ka ( / ) = Please speak slowly, Phom/chan mai kao jai khrup/ka ( / ) = I dont understand. I hope the articles on this site help you to learn more about Thailand and inspire your next adventure to The Land of Smiles. But at least you can understand the general mechanics. So if you can speak other languages, you are more likely to land a job in an international company and get bigger pay. Whilst some occur on the same day each year, others are based on the lunar calendar and dates are as such open to change. The language and its script are closely related to the Lao language and script. Telephone (Thailand Phones)The telephone system in Thailand is both modern and widespread, with reliable pay phones found throughout the kingdom and Thailand cell phone reception covering all but the most remote Thai Islands. We never post anything without your permission. It doesnt mean that they have less tone than 5. Each tone will have a distinct pitch and meaning. These differences make your trips and travel one of a kind. Spending time with a native speaker will help you understand the individual phonemes, the phonetic building blocks of the language (11). Unlike English, the Thai language does not also use punctuation to the same extent that the English language does. You will gain an understanding of a number of key areas including: If you are doing business with Thailand, why not ensure the success of your venture by enrolling on our Online Thai Cultural Awareness course course? It is good idea to send a list of who will be attending the meeting and their credentials so that Thais know the relative status of the people attending the meeting and can plan properly. This interest in other languages partly stems from the economy of the country. Traditional gender divisions exist in Thailand in respect to child care and domestic work, with women taking on the vast majority of these tasks. This can then be split further into 3 consonant classes, 12 long vowels, and 16 short vowels. For example, the Suphanburi accent a branch of the central dialect has notable tonal differences from the Bangkok accent. Hence, most local people can even misuse them most of the time. [Online] [Cited: February 5, 2022.] Card phones, which operate with either prepaid phone cards or, less frequently, credit cards are also widely available, particularly in large urban and tourist areas; Card phones have variable rates, but can cost up to 18 baht (.50 USD) per minute. So, be very careful when in the country not to say anything that could be misinterpreted. If you wish to learn to speak Thai, it is paramount that you train your ear first. Thai, more specifically known as Siamese Thai, is the official language of Thailand and is spoken by well over eighty per cent of the country's population of over seventy million. The common terminology is based on location; indigenous groups are spread throughout the country. Many of these are mutually intelligible, meaning that speakers of different dialects can still understand and communicate with each other, although not all are. 3.Need to Know Sentence Pack. Thai people can tell if someone was born in Suphanburi right away just from hearing how the person speaks. Hand gestures may be used to enhance speech but its important that the actions are calm and never aggressive. It is advisable to have one side of your business card translated into Thai. Still, you should know that English-speaking abilities amongst Thais vary quite a lot. Additional Book information. Adding to the complexity of the linguistic landscape of Thailand is that standard Thai has four regional dialects, and each of those has its own sub-dialects. I'm a Thailand fanatic who has been traveling to the Kingdom since 2017. Google +, Bangkok , For example, its a more complicated language to pronounce: There are 44 consonants in the language that produce 21 distinct sounds however when a consonant falls at the end of a word or sentence, the pronunciation changes according to a very complex set of linguistic rules. Of the 72 languages recognized in Thailand other than Thai, many of them are regional dialects. As I previously said,the Isaan dialect is not Thai but Lao. In this respect, the children of craftsmen, farmers etc. Thai cuisine is much loved internationally and Thai restaurants are a feature of most large cities around the world. Money is the usual gift for weddings and ordination parties. When calling Thailand from overseas or calling a Thai phone from within Thailand there is a slight difference. Junior staff are typically very respectful of their managers and managers take on the traditional role of manager as decision maker and central leader. Fon. And if they dont show any price (and the merchant says whatever price they want), keep in mind that they might try to overcharge you as a foreigner. Raising both hands, palms joined with the fingers pointing upwards as if in prayer, lightly touching the body somewhere between the chest and the forehead, is the standard form. Because if you dont, Thai Language Difficulty: Is It Easy or Hard to Learn Thai? The challenging part about learning Thai, many English speakers agree, is the tone or the musical quality of the language. In the Korean case, its more about personal preferences. 9. With so many visitors, the Thailand communications system has many features that make it very accessible to foreigners. So, it would be best if you always asked for a discounted price. English, for example, is continuing to grow, and the quality of understanding is improving too. (- / ) = Can you give me a discount please? How Many Countries Are Recognized By The United States? ThaiPod101. Many Thai words are adopted from English, but one might not immediately recognize them, as they are pronounced quite differently in Thai. But that is more reason to appreciate it. Step over the threshold rather than on it. English should be relatively widely understood and spoken in major tourist destinations around the country. In other words, they understand English to a certain degree and can respond in English too. This is the primary dialect used in education and the media, and therefore, the official language of the country. Phuket , if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'thaiguider_com-narrow-sky-2','ezslot_15',169,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thaiguider_com-narrow-sky-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'thaiguider_com-narrow-sky-2','ezslot_16',169,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thaiguider_com-narrow-sky-2-0_1');.narrow-sky-2-multi-169{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:0!important;margin-right:0!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. The Thai language itself is challenging to master, but Thai people are happy to help foreigners learn a few words to help them get around. Greetings. Business cards are given out after the initial handshake and greeting. Leave a little food on your plate after you have eaten to show that you are full. 8 Essential Tips For Learning Thai. Certainly the numbers were lifted directly from Khmer. [Online] September 21, 2021. https://www.thethailandlife.com/thai-talk-thai-for-beginners-lesson-1/. My name is Jordan Sully and I am a Thailand fanatic. There are also more minor languages brought by minority groups, which are local to the area, offering much more language diversity in the country. Never take the last bite from the serving bowl. Good practice for those speaking western languages while traveling in Thailand is to get a Thai speaker to write down your destination for you so there is no confusion with cab or tuk tuk drivers. [d] It is the national language of Thailand and de facto official language. Respect and courtesy are demonstrated by the height at which the hands are held and how low the head comes down to meet the thumbs of both hands. Face is important to Thais and it is important that you do nothing to affect someones face if you need to say something of a critical nature then ensure that you do so in private. Close friends may be tactile with one another and its not unusual to see friends of the same sex often hold hands with one another. Arrive close to the appointed time, although being a few minutes late will not cause offence. Backed by linguistic research, our learning methods can help you achieve fluency in record time. For example, closer to Cambodia, many people will have some level of fluency inKhmer, while people from the South of the country speak Malay. Not all languages operate on the same concept and mindset. The Most Effective Ways to Learn Thai (3 Best Methods). Matador Network. Thais are often seen to be 'lazy' by outsiders due to the fact they like their downtime. The Thai language is comprised of 44 consonants, 32 vowels and five tones in Thai pronunciation, along with a script that has Indian origins. Although most Thais will try to be on time, punctuality is a personal trait. One of the main reasons for the diversity in language among indigenous people in Thailand is separation, both geographically, and politically. Such is the case in Thailand, where the indigenous languages have been melded with regional dialects and words borrowed from other national languages such as Chinese, Palai, and Portuguese, among others. Its one of the more popular courses these days. Improve your pronunciation by practicing your conversation skills with our apps interactive chatbot! For example: Not English. Thanks for checking out ThaiGuider! And it can be a Herculean task to wrap your mind around them. You might notice that the meaning in each tone of cow is totally unrelated. So in a sense, the Central dialect is self-explanatory. Have you asked yourself this question? Why? And besides, schools dedicated to Japanese communication are also rare. These calm characters can be seen as the influence of neighboring countries like Laos and Cambodia. But what about Thailand? About Thailands Alphabet. Thai Writing Useful List Of 44 Thai Alphabet. Thai Cell PhonesThe Thailand cell phone coverage is widespread, with reception available in all areas except at the most remote islands and isolated mountainous regions. Similar fractures in borders occurred during the subsequent decolonization process, resulting in yet more isolation, and therefore the development of unique languages. I first visited this amazing country in July 2017 for a brief travel trip. Please note that the word ka is used for every phrase if the speaker is female, while the word krup or krub is used if it is male speaking (9). Children have a special place in Thai society and are typically doted on by family members and non-family adults. And, of course, not all Central dialects are the same. Photo by E. Girardet on Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0). ( / ) = How much is it? Food of Thailand - 14 Thai Dishes to Get You Drooling, Camping in Thailand - 11 Beautiful Camping Spots For Adventurers, Thailand A Travelers Not To Do List, 15 Examples of the Architecture of Thailand - Landmarking Thai Brilliance, Transportation in Thailand - A Quick Guide On Thailand's 9 Transport Modes, 4 Dances in Thailand - Traditional Thai Dance Forms and Their Origin. This daunting name has 167 letters and 40 syllables and holds the Guinness Book of Records title of the longest city name. Only use red wrapping paper if giving a gift to a Chinese Thai. 11. [Online] [Cited: February 5, 2022.] Furthermore, there is no official standard for the transliteration of words and thus many Thai words are spelled differently on different maps or street signs (i.e. 2. Both foreigners and Thai nationals have felt the full force of Thai law in the past. Thai language is also known as Central Thai. Why? So, whoever can communicate with foreign tourists has an advantage over those who cant. 10. Southerners also have more original vocabulary than other regions. The idea of traveling or moving to Thailand might have presented you with this question. Northern Thai. Translated, it means the Great City, the Residence of the Emerald Buddha, the Grand Capital of the World Endowed with Nine Precious Gems, the Happy City.. Thai people shouldnt have difficulty understanding the Isaan dialect, despite some different vocabulary and accents. Thai people usually describe this dialect as fiery and spicy. This is thanks to how the locals use this tongue with a more vibrant tone and faster speech. The language has an alphabet system like English. As discussed, the Thai language has variations linguists call dialects. Another common element among Thai dialects is the use of different versions of words based on familiarity or social context. What are the languages spoken in Thailand? This is the primary dialect used in education and the media, and therefore, the official language of the country. If invited to a Thai home, then allow your host and hostess to introduce you to the other guests. In the Thai alphabet, there are 72 characters (44 consonants and 28 vowels) (1). Some of the most popular dishes include: Thais rely on street vendors for a lot of their food. Your Thai counterpart may avoid confrontation or seek to save your face by seeming to agree with something that they are not actually in agreement with. (laeo) All its content is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced in any form without my written consent. So if you can speak the language, you have a better chance of winning a well-paying job in these places. Tai-Kadai originated from Proto-Tai, whose speakers migrated to southeastern Asia over 2,000 years ago. But if you know how to speak some Thai, for example, tell them to open the meter in the taxi or ask for a fixed price before getting on the TukTuk, they will not be able to take advantage. However, this is starting to change in some of the younger and more globally facing business. Learning a language can be tricky. So, you might have to perform mental gymnastics to get around them.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'thaiguider_com-leader-4','ezslot_10',169,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thaiguider_com-leader-4-0'); But, of course, languages are all made up. So, Northern sounds tend to have less up and down pitch than other places. Thai With Grace. One of the commonalities among Thai dialects is that they all include variations on the meaning of words based on tone. Remain standing until told where to sit. Of course, similarities exist. Consequently, population centers that host many foreigners, such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and the Islands have many people who can speak both Thai and English quite well. 4. Example of Thai Language; English Code-Mixing and Code-Switching in Thai Songs; Sublime Rock: Burmese Popular Music, Language Code Switching and Sentimentalism Among Shan The Thailand Communications network is both easy and convenient for foreigners to utilize. Feel inspired to learn Thai? The country has given me so much, this is my small way of giving back. ThaiPod101. Cow in the 4th tone (locals call it or Chattawa tone) means white.. Why? Once you understand the language, you can spot the connections between one culture and another. Originally Siam, the Thai language shifted names as well when the state was renamed Thailand - it was originally Siamese. Consequently, an overseas call to Bangkok would be +66-2, whereas a call from within Thailand would begin 02. Please remember that everyone works at a different pace and has different learning styles. Having a conversation partner can help improve language skills and make the whole learning process less tedious. [online] Available at: https://commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/afghanistan-guide [Accessed ENTER DATE]. Even central Thai people have a hard time understanding southerners conversations. However, it is not impossible to speak in Thai. Because in case you forget language is a kind of culture too. Since Thai's judge you on your clothing and accessories, ensure that your shoes are always highly polished. And that means most members of the newer generations already have at least the basic knowledge of English before graduation. To identify the amount or quantity, Thai people put quantifiers for almost everything, and this pattern follows the format below (6): The most standard quantifier that can be used for most of the nouns is an (). This quantifier can be used when there is no specific quantifier designated for the noun. The indigenous groups in Thailand are referred to as hill tribes, hill people, mountain people, or highlanders. ThaiPod101. Even though Thai grammar is pretty simple and easy to understand, there are some unique rules that every beginner should know: As a country where monarchy still exists, the Thai royal family is considered to hold the highest status in the country and others have to use different words and speeches when talking to the royals. 1.Read Thai in 2 weeks. The person who is junior in age or status is the first one to offer the wai. From telephones to the internet, the Thailand communications network allows visitors to stay in touch with comfort and ease. People of importance, such as teachers, professors or monks, the first name should be preceeded with Ajarn. There are 51 distinct indigenous languages in Thailand, and they can be sorted into five overarching language families. And with new words comes new grammar. Thank you for reading our guide to Thailand. In the case of Thailand, there are varying amounts of populations around the border who can speak the corresponding language. 1. Never leave rice on your plate as it is considered wasteful. The senior person returns the wai, generally with their hands raised to somewhere around their chest. Leow jer gan na khrup/ka ( / ) = See you later/bye! Standard Thai is spoken in the Bangkok metropolitan region, is the most common language in Thailand, and where many beginners to the country start learning the language. Alphabet in Thai. There are 76 languages in the Tai-Kadai group, 2 of those are national languages - Thai and Lao. And that is understandable. Of course, some want to live in Korea too. How Do You Use Quantifiers? The Thai language is part of a large umbrella group called Tai, or Tai-Kadai. The following versions of video-DVDs are also available. Advertisement. From the perspective of linguistic typology, Thai can be considered to be an analytic language. The word order is subjectverbobject, although the subject is often omitted. Thai pronouns are selected according to the gender and relative status of speaker and audience. Fortunately, road signs are written in both Thai and English, and many tourist areas provide maps, menus, and other literature in both Thai and various other foreign languages. Believe it or not, Thais give Red Fanta as an offering to spirits. I'm a Thailand fanatic who has been traveling to the Kingdom since 2017. By gon khrup/ka ( / ) = Goodbye, Khor thoad khrup/ka ( / ) = Sorry/Excuse me, Yin dee thi dai roojak ( / ) = Nice to meet you. By knowing the language, one can get to know their Thai partner more deeply and communicate with their friends and family who may not know how to speak English. In addition, while most Thais speak and understand the central Thai dialect, there are various regional dialects, including those of southern Thailand and Northeastern Thailand, the latter of which is essentially just the Lao language (as most of the population is of Lao descent). You can get free access to lessons about Thai scripts and useful Thai phrases by simply signing up on the website (10). In Thailand, even Ronald McDonald offers the wai gesture to greet people! That said, visitors may experience difficulty picking up the Thai language as it is considerably different from many foreign languages. Many younger Thais dream of living in foreign countries. They introduce Thai to the beginner through a special Romanized script accessible before gradually introducing the Thai letters to the English speakers, making learning easier (11). 00:00. In addition, some English keyboards have support for multiple languages, and are easier to use for switching between languages. Called Siam until 1939, the bloodless Siamese coup dtat ended the rule of absolute monarchy and resulted in the renaming of the country to Thailand. (source: https://languageboost.biz/beginners-guide-learn-thai/). ThaiAlphabet. The standard way to write "Example" in Thai is: . Southern dialect arguably has the most character in the Thai dialect. Hence, it is totally up to you to choose the way you would like to learn the Thai language as a beginner after all, learning a new language should be fun and exciting too! The national language of Thailand is Thai, spoken by about 53% of the population. Here are some useful pronouns for Thai language beginners (5): if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'thaiguider_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_6',172,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thaiguider_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');Unlike French or Spanish, one does not need to learn about masculine or feminine words in the Thai language. Copyright 2022. Another similarity between the grammar structure of Thai and English is that both languages make use of personal pronouns, even though Thai has more pronouns. The Thai conjunction (thngle) is used to express two words with the same importance level. https://languageboost.biz/beginners-guide-learn-thai/. Like the spoken counterpart, written Thai also survived the test of time. 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