Harcourt

So your allowed to struggle to explain english but she's not allowed to struggle to expalian Thai.

Of course she's allowed......my point is that she doesn't seem to be equiped with the basic theory of her own language, as most Westerners have been in school.

I don't know whether she's a lousy teacher or if there IS no Thai language theory for her to try to explain something.

She learnt english with all it's rules and theory, and thus it is easier for her to comprehend my explanations when given in theoretical terms.

...as Caf mentioned, "....We tend to learn a foreign language - at first anyway - by learning rules and seeing some sort of logic

We learn our mother tongue - at first anyway - by copying what we hear and read. As we all did as children. At that time we did not think of rules or see any logic in our language.

That is why your gf can not explain thai to you. ...." This makes sense to me.

I suppose what I was asking, is whether Thai has a structure.

I posted because I imagine that there are many people that try to learn from their spouses instead of formally....and are they running into the same frustrations.

Looking at the language forums, the experts there discuss Thai amongst themselves in terms of "transitive verbs", or "past imperfect".....but they are using Westerm "science".

There's alot of good answers here and I have gained an insight...thanks.

Try a surrogate hen

Bubba

On a side note.....funniest thing when you use a surrogate. I used a broody hen to hatch some duck eggs. On their first day out free-ranging, wandering around behind "Mum", they passed a drinking tray full of water...the ducklings instinctively jumped in. Meanwhile, Mother Hen is having coniptions on the sidelines, calling her chicks to get out!

Funnier still if you reverse the species....you should see a mother duck trying to get her "duckling" chickens into the water!

All you folk look the same to me....

Oh , Ancient tree gum. I thought you had a load of beer you wanted to get rid of.

The Global Research in International Affairs (Gloria) Centre is a pro Israeli biased organization that finds evidence of conspiracy and evil in anything related to Islam. I have nothing against Israelis but GLORIA's opinions should be taken with a grain of salt.

..hehe, and the spokesman's name is "Spyer". Shouldn't that just be "Spy".

Your problem is in applying the Western concept of the Search for Logic to a Thai situation...

"Where is the Logic?"

The answer... It doesn't exist... just not Thai style.

Spock was NOT a Thai!

CS

. Ok.

Oval (cricket field = ovary = ovulation

What's logical about that?

Thai is generally taught by repetition (rote).

Your opinion that Thai is learnt by repetition is one that I am interested to hear. I wonder what the consensus is.

Etymology. The connection between words. "Oval" refers to the shape, "ovoid" from Latin....ovis (whatever), ovum, egg..... never mind, the example was made up and is not important to the discussion.

She learned Thai in her own (native) language and it is not easy for her to explain it in Thai. She could probably explain it to you in Thai. We learn English in much the same way.

You seem to have a very condescending attitude towards the way Thai is taught. I hope my impression about your post is incorrect.

I am far from an attitude of condescension! I am merely ignorant about the way Thai is taught, thus my question.

My question arises because if my GF has a question about English, as long as the theory is not toooooo deep, I am able to explain why we say or spell it in english in a particular way. (Lets not get into the vast illogic of English just now, for the sake of this discussion, please accept that there are a number of "rules" and logical progressions in english theory...the use of prefixes and suffixes for example follow general rule of thumb guidlines.) She grasps what I explain, because she has learnt english from a "scientific" angle.

Etymology is a good example of a sub-branch of linguistic science. When my GF asks why do we say, "oval" for the cricket ground, I can explain about the shape, and the root of the word....and all of a sudden she see's the linguist connection to ovary....and then some time later, can deduce the meaning of "ovulation" in the context of what she was reading. There is a logical progression that she can follow and reach reasonable conclusions.

On the other hand, if I ask a question of her about Thai, this intelligent woman can just say, "This is it, this is how it is, there is no reason for it, it just IS."

My OP is to try to find out if there IS a degree of logic that I can hope to fathom, or do I resign myself to learning parrot fashion?

This may technically belong in the language forum, but I'm guessing that many who frequent the general forum don't neccessarily frequent the language forum, but would find this interesting....looking for a range of opinions here....maybe a consensus and maybe some hope for the exasperated student!

Or maybe it's time to give up.

Does the Thai language, as taught to Thai children, have a science to it? For example, on a simple level, does the concept of verbs, nouns, adjectives, tense, participles etc exist, and if so, is that "science" adopted from Western linguistic science? Do the concepts of linguistics predate Western influence?

Why I ask is because my GF is intelligent, Uni degree, speaks English well (actually puts me to shame on English language theory when she starts talking about "past imperfect...." (for example), but she struggles to be able to explain the logic (or the lack thereof) of her own vernacular.

Is Thai a "rote learnt" language or is there a degree of logic to it?

"...fear of retaliation? increase in good karma?..."

Or what about good old human compassion?

Is this a joke?

Not a joke.... Some people have a thing called "compassion", obviously not you.

"...surely, a person with the slightest bit of intelligence realizes how silly/unproductive it is to give money to someone begging for it..."(Escobar69)

I'm certain I have at least a slight bit of intelligence, and I do not realise how silly/unproductive it is, therefore your statement is wrong.

Hehe....saw a link at the bottom of this thread.... go to the TVF "Stop Smoking Forum"

There was a news article on this forum about a week ago about these....something about they are not sanctioned by health authorities...and may be banned?

Do a search on the news forum.

"...fear of retaliation? increase in good karma?..."

Or what about good old human compassion?

Hello, I live in London but my father lived in chiang Mai for many years and would send me interesting posts from your forum and I was wondering if you could give me any advice . My father was marreid to a lovley Thai lady for 7 years before he died suddenly last November, to my knowldege he didnt leave a will .I know he had money in a bank account for his residentancy visa and my sister and I would like to how we can find out if the money is still in his bank account and if so how to we can access it, we have tried writing to and ringing the bank but they will not say wether he still his has account there or not, his wife speaks very little english so she has been unable to help . Does anyone have any advice that can help us, I would really appreciate it , I hate the thought of his money just sitting in a bank account when his wife has a serious medical condition and needs the money,

Sorry for your loss.

If you just want to be sure that his wife can get the money, then there is no need for you and your sister to access it, especially since you are in London and the bank account and widow are in Thailand.

It is quite possible that every time you speak to her about money that she may feel a bit defensive and fear that you are trying to access the money for yourself.

She may even feign poor english and poor financial circumstances because of this fear....not that it matters if you just want to help her. You need to first allay her understandable fears.

To best assist the widow, just advise her as Jingthing has suggested.

Perhaps someone here could write a letter for you in Thai, or you could find a Thai speaker to speak for you, to communicate your goodwill and advice.

Goodluck.

Off-topic, sorry, but you reminded me with your mention of Aussie dams....yabbies (crawdads in US, I think).

Are there yabbies in Thailand, and if not, do you think they would make a good cash crop?

Some good advice from the Western perspective....what I have to suggest is a bit out of left field, but it may just be the best thing for her;

Get a Lao shaman to perform an excorcism.

This could have a placebo-type effect, and may also help to get the family involved so that your transition out of the situation is smoother.

Good on you for not just cutting and running.

Timely bumping of this old thread.....last week a law was passed in Germany prohibiting under 18 year olds from using tanning studios.....the increase in malignant melanomas worldwide has prompted a number of measures to try to reduce the use of sunbeds.

A lot of bars in the USA are still closed on Sunday and you can't buy alcohol in many states on Sunday, with the exception of South Dakota where you can buy all the beer you want just nothing hard... I think the law now is that food sales have to be equal or higher than alcohol sales and the bar can be opened (in most states). So, no it applies to everyone tourists are not exempt what would you do anyway to prove you are a tourist? I'm sure if you look closely you will find opened bars.

So because the good ol USA does it its a good thing ? Forcing religions dogma's onto others is wrong period.

Drive carefully, I don't want your kharma to run over my dogma.

I don't think he's saying anything like "If the USA does it, it's a good thing". Like me in my post which mentions New Zealand....just drawing a parallel to say that this Thai action is not at all odd in the greater scheme of things.

I strongly dislike dogmatics, I am staunchly atheist, and resent any religion being forced upon me. However, when I visit a friend's house for dinner and they insist on saying grace, I sit and wait quietly until they are finished, I don't get stuck into the food while their eyes are still closed. . Respect the host.

you poor old drunks ,gonna miss yer booze and piss up for a few days ,any thing that restricts the abuse of alcohol is a good thing ,same as cigarettes ,learn to live clean you will live longer and happier

I'm actually supporting the brief prohibition....where do you get the idea that I'm a drunk?

And as for your prosletysing about "clean living"...that is dogma too that I ignore.

...mind you, it opened at "Background, Part 3".

Yep, it's working for me now....thanks.

Even fugitives need a spot of quiet time! Fiji would be as good a place as any. What's a bet he can wrangle his own private island.

Bet he can't....not with the government's help. Only 5% of the total land area is freehold and only freehold land can be bought or sold....so if there is a private island for sale, sure he can get it, otherwise not.

Hmmm...my family has 500 acres with private beachfront, freehold....need a buyer.

".....In America, as in Europe, cases of infertility in animals fed with genetically modified maize are becoming increasingly common. No-one yet knows what effects such products are having on humans...."

My point.

Maizefarmers post is excellent and is swaying me towards the commercial argument aswell as my biological argument.

Being completely apolitical, I wonder if Mr Thaksin would like me to work for him. I speak Fijian but I do not look at all like a native Fijian....could be useful to him to have someone on his staff that knows the language and local mentality, customs etc.

I just want a well paid job!

Yes, Fiji curries are great!

Can we pin this topic somewhere, please? The links supplied, and Simcity's wonderful formula and breakdown of the formula are something that I for 1 will want to continually refer back to.

Thanks agent 69,that's what i was looking for!BTW,in my opinion,"custom beliefs" thread can well stay in the"Buddhism" subforum..

Another question which i like to ask to the kind forumers;Why many Thai folks believe that it's unconvenient whistling at night?I enjoy whistling my favourite melodies all the time,but few people told me not to do it at night,otherwise ghosts will come..I'm not afraid of them so far,but that's it.

That's fascinating....I grew up in Fiji and they have the same taboo, for the same reason.

My question is.... I bought a knife for a one-off job, and then didn't need it anymore. I gave it to my gf's mother. She insisted she pay me a token number of baht. Apparently, sharp things can't be given as gifts but must be paid for.

Is this widespread and is there a reason?