If you have friends from other countries, how do you acquaint them with Thailand?
Would you like to guide them on a tour of the stunning tourist attractions?
Would you like to savor a variety of delectable Thai dishes?
Would you suggest watching any Thai films and series?
One cannot deny that Thailand has many charms to indulge in, but one undeniable appeal is the “Thai language,” which is incredibly melodious and pleasing to the ear in any shape or form.
According to Assistant Professor Dr. Kiat Thepchuaysuk, Director of the Center for Thai as a Foreign Language (CTFL), Chulalongkorn University, there is an increasing number of people from different countries showing interest in learning the Thai language. This growing interest has led to various developments, such as advancements in the digital world, the elimination of language barriers, easier travel, the export of goods and drama series, and the emergence of different soft power trends.
Whether you are studying for a career, engaging in business, aiming to communicate with favorite celebrities, or simply learning the language for amusement, the majority of foreigners express a similar sentiment: “Mastering the Thai language is challenging.”
For Dr. Kiat, who specializes in linguistics and teaching Thai to non-native speakers, understanding Thai is not as difficult as you may believe, and can be quite enjoyable once we grasp the fundamental principles, techniques, and advice.
Dr. Kiat will provide guidance and simple language pointers for individuals who are sincerely interested in learning Thai in this article. It will also share enjoyable facts about the language with native speakers to demonstrate that Thai is not as complex as perceived. In fact, it is an enchanting language that beautifully embodies the Thai people’s joy and ingenuity.
Is the Thai language really easy?
According to Dr. Kiat, most students who begin learning the Thai language commonly express difficulty due to the distinct characteristics of the language that differ from their native tongues.
- Writing, Grammar, and Tone Systems
The Thai language possesses its own writing system and distinct alphabets that are not used by any other languages. In addition, the grammar differs from that of certain learners’ native tongues. Thai is also a tonal language, which can be bewildering for many Western foreigners. For instance, the word “Kao” can have various meanings such as fishy, news, rice, or white, depending on the tone. This disparity arises because Western languages do not have tones.
- A wide range of language hierarchy
The hierarchy in many languages is noticeable, but it is especially prominent in the Thai language.
There are several factors to consider when selecting the words to use in communication, such as the mode of communication (spoken or written), the intended audience, and the specific circumstances. Additionally, different vocabulary sets may be utilized.
Dr. Kiat explained that if you want to write beautifully, you will employ a specific vocabulary. Conversely, when speaking with your parents or teachers, you will utilize a different set of vocabulary. Even when conversing with friends, the vocabulary may vary depending on the level of closeness.
- New words are coined all the time
Every language possesses its own unique slang that is utilized by its respective community. However, Thai individuals possess an inherent linguistic ingenuity, particularly teenagers and LGBT+ groups, who consistently invent novel vocabulary for communication within their circles. These playful neologisms often gain widespread popularity in society, showcasing the inherent vibrancy and creativity of Thai culture.
Mastering Thai Language Grammar: Key Rules and Concepts
The Thai language of today has been influenced by various languages including Bali, Sanskrit, Khmer, Chinese, Javanese, Burmese, Malay, Persian, and some European languages like Portuguese and English. As a result, the vocabulary and grammar of the Thai language also exhibit certain elements from these languages. In order to learn Thai more quickly and understand it more easily, Dr. Kiat suggests that foreigners familiarize themselves with a few grammatical aspects of the language.
- Arrangement of words in declarative sentences
When we learn different languages, we typically examine the basic sentence structure in terms of how the subject, verb, and object are arranged. In Thai language, the structure is the same as English or Chinese, where the subject comes before the verb and object, like “I eat rice.” However, in certain languages like Japanese or Korean, the structure is subject > object > verb, resulting in “I rice eat.”
Despite sharing similar basic sentence structures, it is important to note that the grammar of two languages may not be identical. Understanding a simple basic sentence in speech may be achieved through one method. While Thai and Chinese both follow a subject-verb-object pattern, there exists a distinction in the structure of noun phrases between the two languages. Consequently, a native Chinese speaker might mistakenly say “I eat two rice plates” instead of “I eat two plates of rice,” as an example.
In order to achieve a high level of fluency in the Thai language and be able to construct more intricate sentences, it is necessary to increase your knowledge of grammar.
According to Dr. Kiat, understanding many grammatical features in the Thai language is relatively easy and straightforward when compared to other languages. This is because there are no tenses, verb conjugations, or complicated grammar rules. To communicate in Thai, all one needs to do is memorize vocabulary and combine words without facing any difficulty.
- Forming simple negative sentences and questions.
Once you have understood how to construct a basic sentence, you can easily utilize various sentence forms, such as negative sentences, by simply incorporating the word “no (mai)” before the verb, or for a question, adding the word “mai (different tone)” at the conclusion of the sentence. The process is uncomplicated.
- Describing a noun – put the noun first, then the adjective
Describing nouns in the Thai language is different from other languages, meaning that in Thai, it is customary to state the main noun before including any descriptive or complementary words. For instance, in languages like English, Japanese, Chinese, or Korean, the phrase “hot tea” would typically have the word “hot” precede the main noun “tea”. So, if speakers of these languages, who are unfamiliar with this grammatical convention, attempt to learn the Thai language, they might easily make errors in word arrangement.
Sounds of Thai Language: What to Watch Out For
If students pay attention to a few points of Thai pronunciation and practice well, they will be able to speak and understand Thai like native speakers without difficulty.
- Consonants
The first thing that Thai language learners should learn is the phonetic sounds. There are a total of 44 consonants in writing, but only 21 sounds (English has 24 phonetic sounds). Some Thai consonants have the same sound. Moreover, when closely observed, Thai phonetic sounds are quite systematic and are categorized in pairs, such as “g for gai”, “kh for khai”, “Dt for dtao”, “Th for thoong”, “Bpaaw for bplaa”, and “Ph for phaan”. Initially, distinguishing all these sounds may be a bit challenging, but with frequent listening, it is not as difficult as it may seem.
An additional warning, specifically for Westerners, pertains to the concluding consonant. In English, when articulating a final consonant, we typically add a puff of air at the end. However, this is not the case in Thai. For instance, in the term “rak” (love), the final “k” is not articulated.
- Vowels
The vowels of the Thai language are another aspect that foreigners are unfamiliar with. As mentioned before, Thai has fewer consonant sounds compared to English. In contrast, English has 20 vowels, while Japanese only has 5 vowels: /a/, /i/, /u/, /e/, /o/. However, Thai has 24 vowels. Additionally, there are special vowels such as /am/, /ai/, /ai/, /au/, /reu/, /reu:/, /lü/, and /lue/ which are compound sounds with consonants. Although this may seem like a lot, these are simply combinations of short and long sounds, as well as combinations of vowel sounds. Therefore, they can be connected and learned without much difficulty.
- Tones
The tones in the Thai language pose the greatest difficulty for foreign learners. Only a small number of learners’ native languages, such as Chinese and Vietnamese, include tones, but these tones differ from Thai tones.
If a foreigner were to say, “Mai mai mai mai,” with incorrect tones, it could result in a lack of understanding or the impression that the speaker is repeating the same word four times.
Dr. Kiat emphasized the significance of tones by explaining that changing the tone of certain words can alter their meaning. To illustrate this, he cited the word “pa,” which can have five different meanings depending on the tone used. Therefore, it is crucial to pronounce the tones accurately in order to prevent miscommunication.
- Pa (mid-tone) means to throw
- Pa (low tone) means forest
- Pa (falling tone) means aunt (mom’s older sister)
- Pa (high tone) means father for Thai-Chinese people
- Pa (rising tone) refers to a rich man
Dr. Kiat suggested that beginners find tones challenging and may need to utilize various methods for assistance. For example, they could practice listening by using a clear sound file or speak to the instructor, who can provide corrections. Dr. Kiat also recommended comparing words with the same tone, like “ga (falling tone)” and “pa (falling tone)”, and practicing their pronunciation with different vowels. Although these words may be meaningless, students will become more acquainted with the tones.
3 Tips For Speaking Thai Like A Native Speaker
Tip number one: Direct your attention towards expanding your vocabulary.
When your objective is to sound like a native speaker, it can be tempting to prioritize speaking and pronunciation. Nevertheless, it is frequently neglected how significant vocabulary is in this process. The words you select have the potential to disclose a great deal about your comprehension of the language.
If you’ve ever used a phrasebook for a language, chances are you’ve experienced a moment when you said something and received a disconcerting look of confusion in return. Even though what you said may be technically accurate, it might not have been suitable for the context or commonly used. Just picture saying “greetings” to a close friend instead of simply saying “hey” or something similar.
In a language like Thai, it is crucial to consider the appropriate word choice depending on the person you are conversing with and their social status. It is essential to avoid being impolite. A useful technique is to observe and differentiate how individuals communicate with their friends versus how they communicate with their superiors. This practice will assist in adopting a more genuine approach when conversing with others.
It is important to note that Thai is a language that can be considered laid-back, as it allows for the removal of words from sentences or phrases without losing their meaning and, most importantly, without affecting understanding. This is particularly true for pronouns, which can often be omitted when their meaning is clear from the context.
Thai language includes the use of colloquialisms and slang. It can be challenging to stay updated with the latest vocabulary as these terms constantly change. Therefore, conversing with a native Thai speaker is crucial to learn such expressions, as they are a valuable source of knowledge. Ultimately, having the appropriate vocabulary for each situation will greatly enhance your ability to sound knowledgeable.
2. Improve your accent to perfection.
Learning Thai pronunciation involves several steps. Firstly, it is important to note that Thai is a tonal language, meaning that altering the pitch can alter the word’s meaning entirely. Additionally, due to Thailand’s vast size, individuals from various regions of the country will have distinct accents and pronunciations. Consequently, an effective method to expose oneself to these diverse accents and pronunciations is through video and audio sources.
YouTube is a treasure trove in this situation since individuals from various backgrounds contribute content to the platform. Through educational videos or casual vlogs, you will gradually notice the subtle (and not-so-subtle) variations in their speech. Each person has their own distinctive way of speaking influenced by various factors. If you are able to imitate this, you will certainly sound more authentic as a Thai speaker.
If you do not have a specific reason for learning a particular accent, it is advisable to learn the basic form instead. In Thailand, the standard form known as Central Thai is considered the most widely understood. Although it may be intriguing to learn the Isaan dialect, choosing Central Thai will ensure that you can communicate effectively with the majority of people.
Tip number three is to replicate the audio content you listen to.
Can you recall how you acquired the ability to communicate as a young child? It was uncommon to acquire novel vocabulary solely through reading or listening. Rather, we would mimic the sounds we heard by verbalizing them. To further enhance your spoken proficiency, while conversing with a Thai friend, watching videos, and listening to audio in Thai, you can engage in this practice and attempt to reproduce their speech patterns.
By thinking step by step, you can rephrase the text without adding or removing information while maintaining the same meaning. This approach allows you to gain proficiency in multiple aspects, including the language’s flow, accent, and pronunciation. Additionally, you can acquire new vocabulary through this technique, as repetition effectively aids in memorization.
To ensure exposure to the various offerings of the language and achieve proficiency in pronunciation, it is advisable to rephrase the given text through a range of mediums and sources. This entails watching and imitating numerous YouTube videos and audio CDs, while also incorporating different resources to comprehensively grasp the intricacies of the Thai language.
The Ling app provides an excellent choice for individuals who want to learn to speak Thai by imitating others. It serves as a companion to encourage correct pronunciation through speaking activities. Additionally, all voice samples used in the app come from Thai speakers, giving users the opportunity to listen to and imitate the genuine sound of spoken Thai. Furthermore, the app includes a chatbot feature that guides users through a standard conversation using voice clips. By combining these features, you can effectively improve your Thai pronunciation and enhance your ability to speak like a native speaker.
What are the advantages of living and studying in Thailand?
- Study directly with expert professors
When studying in Thailand, particularly at Chula, it is a more enriching experience due to the presence of Thai professors who are highly qualified and experienced in Thai language and linguistics. At Chula, you can rest assured that all the professors possess the necessary abilities to impart their knowledge and effectively prepare students for proficiency in Thai language.
- Learning Atmosphere
The majority of Thai language students at Chulalongkorn University have an appreciation for the campus atmosphere. The campus is centrally located in the city, but also offers a peaceful environment surrounded by lush greenery. The architecture seamlessly combines elements of both old and new. Apart from the academic aspect, students also have the opportunity to engage in a variety of activities, workshops, and clubs. Additionally, there are occasional organized tours available to explore the campus, the city, or nearby provinces.
Key Takeaway
For individuals who find Thai language challenging, it is important not to give up hastily. Dr. Kiat emphasizes the importance of commencing the learning process correctly by focusing on the fundamental aspects of the language, such as pronunciation, writing, and grammar. Since the Thai language follows a systematic structure, comprehending these basic principles and memorizing vocabulary enables effective communication in daily life by simply placing the words in their appropriate context.
