Recently I stumbled upon a comprehensive review of the various Thai language phrasebooks on the market. I know that many New Mandala readers will find its reflections and comments useful. It includes such gems as “[w]hite space between some of the information would come in handy” and “ok, I’ve never had to ask a Thai where the ski run is, or if they have avalanches or ice-skating, but there’s always a first time.”
Well worth a look for anyone learning Thai.
6 responses so far ↓
1 Ian H // Apr 24, 2009 at 2:04 pm
I look forward to the day when there is one standard anglicised version of the Thai language. When I started learning at a prestigious London college the tutor used a different anglicisation than the book he was using. Talk about confusing?
I think such standardisation would help the tourist trade too.
2 Flashman // Apr 24, 2009 at 4:35 pm
I always found the Lonely Planet Thai Language phrase book one of the best on the market for day to day practical Thai and, at times, hilarious with sections on dating and even sex – that includes the immortal line “Don’t worry, I’ll do it myself.”
3 Catherine // Apr 25, 2009 at 8:30 am
‘I look forward to the day when there is one standard anglicised version of the Thai language.’
If it ever happens, the signs in Bangkok would certainly change.
I look forward to the day when phrase books include both sides (multiple choice even) of the conversation so you don’t have to scramble to locate what they ‘might’ have said…
(thanks for the mention, my stats are loving it)
4 Amy Praphantanathorn // Apr 25, 2009 at 12:12 pm
I really appreciated Cat’s review of all the Thai phrasebooks, from the pros and cons and the fact you could click on each book cover and see how the layout is designed in each.
‘I look forward to the day when there is one standard anglicised version of the Thai language.’
I concur as well. It drives me crazy the letters we’re not supposed to pronounce, making it all the more difficult to communicate an already hard language.
5 Portman // Apr 28, 2009 at 5:13 pm
My personal favourite is “Outrageous Thai” published by Tuttle. I saw a letter in the Bangkok Post complaining that this book should be banned as the phrases in it are likely to get tourists killed. Propelled by this unequivocal recommendation I went out and bought it the same day. Although some of the English renderings of the phrases are a bit wonky and there are a lot of important vulgar Thai phrases missing, it is the only phrase book that covers foul or naughty Thai language in depth. You don’t have to use these phrases but, like it or not, you will hear them, if you spend enough time in Thailand, and may as well understand them. Admittedly, it is really only of use to those with an advanced knowledge of Thai. Therefore it wouldn’t have met Cat’s criteria for inclusion in her excellent review.
6 GoodnessGraciousMe // Apr 29, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Portman # 5 – “… it is the only phrase book that covers foul or naughty Thai language in depth. You don’t have to use these phrases but, like it or not, you will hear them, if you spend enough time in Thailand, and may as well understand them.”
I don’t know what choice phrases may be on offer, but some sensible advice is: don’t try and use any of them if you don’t fully understand not just the literal meaning, but also the possible effect of using what may seem, to a Westerner, pretty mild language. Also, what may amuse, say, bar girls in Nana [Portman - I'm not implying that you may hang out in Nana], will generally go down like a lead balloon with most other people, and can very rapidly escalate a minor misunderstanding into something very nasty.
On a lighter note, I once had a great little phrasebook that advised:
“Ooi” (อุ๋ย) – ’sound of surprise, as may be made by a girl struck by lighting’. Given local standards of construction, not beyond the realms of impossibility …
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