Thursday, August 20, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Speaking Thai
I've been attempting to learn Thai by using a beginners book and a little help from friends. My vocabulary is slowly growing and I'm able to put together a few simple sentences now. This can be very dangerous. When I try to communicate with Thais using full sentences and relevant words they immediately think I know a lot more than I actually do.
Example:
Tony: Sawat di krap, phom cheu Tony. (Hello, my name is Tony)
Thai Person: Sawat di krap, vsddnjkvhfdsuivcxlidsvbckx. (Hello, I have no idea what they say next.
Tony: Uhhhhh, Phom pen kruu. (I am a teacher.)
Thai person: Kruu, cddnisvfcxnvkjfdnsvioxnv. (Teacher, wah wah wah wah wah wah wah wah.)
Tony: Um, Thewpaingarm. (this is the name of my school, I assume they asked where I teach)
Thai(nods in approval): cvdnjkcvuixnvkjxnjkvhdbvbcxj (No idea but I think I answered the right question earlier)
Tony: Phom yuu thinii. (I live here)
After that it goes downhill quickly. The good news is that I know a bit of Thai and I'm adding to my vocabulary quickly. I'm learning naughty words and swear words by saying English words in class and noticing snickers from the students. Apparently yet and quasar sound like bad Thai words. I have since learned what those words mean, but I'll keep that secret for people who come to visit me. I try to add one new word a day.
It's strange being a teacher. When I first started in Korea I would often get flustered and confused in front of class. Now it's like I blackout during class and some awesome teaching robot takes over. I think a teaching job is like a sales job in that everyone should have one at some point in their lives. If not for the personal rewards than for the empathy you can feel for the teachers you harassed or the sales people you ignore and despise for doing their job. There are a lot of good skills that come from the experience. Public speaking and group activities become second nature.
Food of the day is . . . . Khao Mok Gai. Curry rice with crispy shallots and chicken. Really gooooooood.
I am a total chess nerd. I've been playing online at chess.com. I usually have about 3 e-mail correspondence games going at once. It's the ultimate strategy game. Every other strategy game is basically a glorified, graphics-laden version of chess.
Example:
Tony: Sawat di krap, phom cheu Tony. (Hello, my name is Tony)
Thai Person: Sawat di krap, vsddnjkvhfdsuivcxlidsvbckx. (Hello, I have no idea what they say next.
Tony: Uhhhhh, Phom pen kruu. (I am a teacher.)
Thai person: Kruu, cddnisvfcxnvkjfdnsvioxnv. (Teacher, wah wah wah wah wah wah wah wah.)
Tony: Um, Thewpaingarm. (this is the name of my school, I assume they asked where I teach)
Thai(nods in approval): cvdnjkcvuixnvkjxnjkvhdbvbcxj (No idea but I think I answered the right question earlier)
Tony: Phom yuu thinii. (I live here)
After that it goes downhill quickly. The good news is that I know a bit of Thai and I'm adding to my vocabulary quickly. I'm learning naughty words and swear words by saying English words in class and noticing snickers from the students. Apparently yet and quasar sound like bad Thai words. I have since learned what those words mean, but I'll keep that secret for people who come to visit me. I try to add one new word a day.
It's strange being a teacher. When I first started in Korea I would often get flustered and confused in front of class. Now it's like I blackout during class and some awesome teaching robot takes over. I think a teaching job is like a sales job in that everyone should have one at some point in their lives. If not for the personal rewards than for the empathy you can feel for the teachers you harassed or the sales people you ignore and despise for doing their job. There are a lot of good skills that come from the experience. Public speaking and group activities become second nature.
Food of the day is . . . . Khao Mok Gai. Curry rice with crispy shallots and chicken. Really gooooooood.
I am a total chess nerd. I've been playing online at chess.com. I usually have about 3 e-mail correspondence games going at once. It's the ultimate strategy game. Every other strategy game is basically a glorified, graphics-laden version of chess.
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