เอ = Ee Or Eej?

[n00b]

The problem with learning from native Thai speakers who are not fluent in English is that most Thais can't pronounce the English A /e̞ɪ/ and will pronounce it /e:/ just like they can't pronounce the American O /o̞ʊ/ or the British /əʊ/ and instead pronounce it /o̞:/

Most of them will therefore not understand the difference. Trying to get this explained by a Thai teacher seems to be difficult while getting help from native English speakers seems ever more difficult as they are often unable to say /e:/ or /o̞:/. They do however seem to be able to say /e:ɪ/instead of /e̞ɪ/ and thereby think they are saying the Thai vowel correctly.

Edited October 15, 2012 by n00b

[paggamb]

VOWEL A LONG AND SHORT.mp3Mp3 Track

The clip submitted by paggang nailed the Vowel A (long)

Attached track LONG and SHORT

the long one is เ- or เอ

the short one is เ-ะ or เอะ

[DavidHouston]

Since English language vowels are so variable as a function of dialect, region, and social class, should native English speakers who opine on the Thai vowel sound system first identify their native English dialect, country, and region?

[reginaldgraves]

I learned เอ = A in ABC since my kindergarten school time, nothing special. Listen and decide by yourself from this good clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0cPemn8hmw

and this clip from 3:23

That is a very good clip, I am surprised anyone had anything to say after you had posted!