Pronunciation Tips

[klons]

In a Becker-Pirazzi dictionary I read the first 33 consonants are sorted alphabetically by the place in the mouth where the

sound is made. (4 places starting at the back and working forward.) Now I know why when I'd say what I thought was a simple word like - glai- it was not understood. I would say it like glai in glide which is the wrong place in the mouth. Now I think I have it, saying glai from the back of the mouth.

The ng sound also comes from the back of the mouth. I've been working on that one for years. Where is the tongue at when one makes the ng sound ? down or up? I was just wondering if their were any resources on the mechanics of the mouth when speaking Thai or if anyone had any other kind of tips. The Scottish O in the Stu Raaj video was also very helpful, another useful correction for me.

[desi]

I was just wondering if their were any resources on the mechanics of the mouth when speaking Thai or if anyone had any other kind of tips.

Stu has a wonderful sheet on pronunciation. It is not on his site (yet) but he has given me permission to put it on mine. It is right at the top of the Thai Language Cheat Sheets post: 'Thai Consonant Map - Phonetic Map of the Human Mouth'.

It is quite large, so if you do want a print, it'll need to go on several pages, or one A2.

Kudos to Stu, it is beautifully designed.

[kokesaat]

"Where is the tongue at when one makes the ng sound ? down or up?"

Say the word 'song'......remember where your tongue is when you say the ..ng part of the word. That's the sound of ง, only it comes at beginning of the word. When you think you've nailed it, go to the nearest noodle shop and ask for extra beansprouts.......tua ngawk (ถั่วงอก). If they don't look at you all cross-eyed, you've probably said it correctly.

[Rionoir]

Sorry, but are you sure your tones are accurate? I can't imagine saying ไกล like "glide" and not being understood as long as the tone is middle tone and you don't linger on the aaaaaa (go straight to i). The problem I hear in a LOT of farang with simple, one-word things like that... is that they have an almost impossible time saying a single word at middle tone, cuz it's really not natural... especially if they are trying to inflect some feeling... they will always end up saying a falling tone for a single word without fail.

In studying Thai in a classroom setting, no one ever mentioned a single thing about placing sounds forward/backward/sideways... maybe it just comes naturally after having Thai teachers... but if you aren't even being UNDERSTOOD, I bet that it isn't because of the sound being too forwards or too backwards.

Furthermore, some Thai speak further forward in their mouth and some speak further back in their mouth... it is the tones, vowel lengths, etc. that will make u understood.

[tgeezer]

I would recommend ภาษาไทย ม๑ where, in the first chapter everything you need to know about the fundementals is covered, with an illustration.

Sample: อะ อา ลิ้น: วางในท่าปกติ ริมฝีปาก: อ้าปากปกติ อิ อี ลิ้น: ส่วนหน่ากระดกขึ้นสูง ริมฝีปาก: เหยียดปากออกเล็กน้อย

Needless to say this is tabulated, a feature which I haven't mastered on the forum. This book costs 81 baht has 387 pages and covers the whole language sylabus for first year secondary students.

Also you will see the vowel for what it is ไอ and ใอ are simply อะ+ย for instance. I used to say that one like Miss Jean Brody in a fein Edinburgh accent, until I discovered the truth.

[desi]

I would recommend ภาษาไทย ม๑ where, in the first chapter everything you need to know about the fundementals is covered, with an illustration.

That set of books are great. I had my Thai teacher record book one just to get the sounds in my head. Some people may be able to do it without sound, I couldn't.

For those without the book and/or teacher, there are a number of decent places online that include sound.

This is just one...

http://www.dekgeng.com/thai/korkai.html

http://www.dekgeng.com/thai/testkorkai.html

http://www.dekgeng.com/thai/lesson1.html

http://www.dekgeng.com/thai/lesson2.html

http://www.dekgeng.com/thai/lesson3.html

http://www.dekgeng.com/thai/lesson4.htm

http://www.dekgeng.com/thai/reading.html

[desi]

I would recommend ภาษาไทย ม๑ ... This book costs 81 baht has 387 pages and covers the whole language sylabus for first year secondary students.

Apologies, I'm thinking of a totally different book (set of books) for first year Thai students.

[tgeezer]

I would recommend ภาษาไทย ม๑ ... This book costs 81 baht has 387 pages and covers the whole language sylabus for first year secondary students.

Apologies, I'm thinking of a totally different book (set of books) for first year Thai students.

My goodness that is excellent stuff, great fun too. Thanks for that.

[mca]

When you think you've nailed it, go to the nearest noodle shop and ask for extra beansprouts.......tua ngawk (ถั่วงอก). If they don't look at you all cross-eyed, you've probably said it correctly.

I was extremely proud a few years back when I warned my neighbour that I'd seen a snake in her garden and she asked how long it was. Now either they have a bunch of lengthened rodents round my way or I'd said " snake" correctly.

[desi]

tgeezer, it's also one of my favourites too. Other sites have alphabet sound files but none (that I've found) have all of the combos needed to learn pronunciation. I'm not saying they are not out there, just that I haven't come across anything this powerful.

[Scottish Thailander]

I would recommend ภาษาไทย ม๑ where, in the first chapter everything you need to know about the fundementals is covered, with an illustration.

Tgeezer, (or Desi, if you have it)

There seem to be lots of books labelled "ภาษาไทย ม๑" but most are test type books without the instruction parts. Can you name the publisher, or better still, post a picture of the cover for me please?

Thanks,

ST.

.

[tgeezer]

I would recommend ภาษาไทย ม๑ where, in the first chapter everything you need to know about the fundementals is covered, with an illustration.

Tgeezer, (or Desi, if you have it)

There seem to be lots of books labelled "ภาษาไทย ม๑" but most are test type books without the instruction parts. Can you name the publisher, or better still, post a picture of the cover for me please?

Thanks,

ST.

.

Sorry I am not up to sending anything on the confuser, it is a schoolbook for government schools. Published by บริษัท อักษรเจริญทัศน์ อจท. จำกัด 142 ถ.แพร่งสรรพศาสตร์ ก.ท.ม. 10200 product code is 2111001 Better still there is a website which I will look at soon www.aksorn.com

Edited September 1, 2009 by tgeezer