English Words That Are Difficult To Pronounce Words For Thais ?

[BKKdreaming]

is there a list of common English words that are difficult to pronounce for Thai speakers.

Everyday words and business use.

I am trying to help someone who speaks decent English but needs some help pronouncing some words .

Thanks for your help

Edited May 26, 2013 by BKKdreaming

[Eddy B]

If they have the basics and say the r's and l's, it will just need practice. It's the silent letters in the english language when reading that usually confuses them.

[whybother]

Many have ploblem with problem.

I have found that they can't place their tongue properly for 'r's and 'l's, and words/letters that where the tongue should touch the top of the mouth or the teeth.

[aidenai]

S-sound at the end of a word.

There're no Thai words with the s-sound at the end of a word that's why it's difficult for Thai people.

[sustento]

"l" at the end of a word and "v" all the time

[Gsxrnz]

Aspiration is the key for many English words. The Thai language finishes the majority of words with a closed mouth. If they learn to aspirate at the conclusion of an English word that ends in a consonant or an s, it makes a huge difference.

[masuk]

There are whole books written on this subject, but one word that caught me a few times was "Sah Cotland" (Scotland), "Sah Wensens" (Swensens).

When I first arrived here, I asked a tuk-tuk driver to take me to Global House hardware complex. He was puzzled, asked a few others, and eventually the light came on: "AHHHH. Globan Hau"!!

Got it.

BKK Dreaming: if you PM me, I'll scan and send you some pages on "Thai Speakers" from a chapter on "Thai Speakers".

[Scott]

Clock. They have a lot of trouble with that word.

[Donnie Brasco]

Sa-ked-you-wan = schedule

[Payboy]

Clock. They have a lot of trouble with that word.

Yeah, that's a mouthful.

[kotsak]

Clock. They have a lot of trouble with that word.

Of course it's easier if you pay them for their time..

[puchooay]

Bulb. I have never been able to get a Thai to say this word properly. Even my daughter has problems.

[Mooner]

Not a spoken thing but has anyone noticed how many Thais who very competent English writers get tired and tried mixed up.

[whybother]

Not a spoken thing but has anyone noticed how many Thais who very competent English writers get tired and tried mixed up.

But aren't they just cute little angles?

[sustento]

Clock. They have a lot of trouble with that word.

Yeah, that's a mouthful.

[BoonToong]

Flower

[rct99q]

I find they have difficulty in saying "I'll pay for that" but maybe it is just me.

[rsokolowski]

Squirrel. My wife has struggled with this word, and still isn't 100% correct.

[prestburypark]

On a slightly different note, my Mrs came to England and, speaking about chilli told my friends around the dinner table: "I like to eat prick".

[FDog]

Refund

[Thaddeus]

Thirty thousand thieves thought it was Thursday and drank milk from a thistle shaped glass.

Try it..

[samuidreams]

I've had plenty of 'wanilla' milkshakes in Thailand

[GooEng]

Try them with "ridiculous" or "ludicrous" if you want a laugh with added irony.

Or the tongue twister "red lorry, yellow lorry".

[puyaidon]

I hear some Thais speak English either not well or funny but at least they are speaking. My girlfriend has a laughing fit on my pronunciation of some Thai words. I have been known to butcher some Thai words.

[sustento]

Try them with "ridiculous" or "ludicrous" if you want a laugh with added irony.

Or the tongue twister "red lorry, yellow lorry".

That's just cruel

[xen]

I hear some Thais speak English either not well or funny but at least they are speaking. My girlfriend has a laughing fit on my pronunciation of some Thai words. I have been known to butcher some Thai words.

Quite agree . If the Thais are having problems with" r" and " l" and sometimes "h" etc and sounding funny then it the same when we speak Thai and fail with the tones and completly change the meaning of the word. Same same but different .

Edited May 27, 2013 by xen

[Traxster]

Some of my Thai friends come from 'Korat'

but they pronounce it 'Kolat'.......

go figger !!

[masuk]

Did you try "she sells sea shells by the sea shore"?

[masuk]

I find they have difficulty in saying "I'll pay for that" but maybe it is just me.

I've often wondered about that.

I recently did a long car trip with some Thais, and suggested we pool some money (kitty) to pay for tolls and fuel.

I was politely ignored, and as I had no wish to be the resident ATM, had to ask for their share of the money most times and at tolls.

"Thank you" seems to be very rarely used, and I can cook a good dinner (hopefully) or take friends to see a movie. Almost never is there a word of thanks and I'm left with the feeling that the two legged ATM has been used once again.

[SICHONSTEVE]

"l" at the end of a word and "v" all the time

Thai's don't have a letter for V - the nearest is wor waen ว and they often (if not always) omit sala e ิ when it is at the end of a word eg: Suvarnabhum(e).