Ask Your Local Farang

[Pops]

Chiangmai, Bosang:

Weeks I have been reading threads about he poor English skills of Thai students and government officials and all the problems this will cause when the Asean agreement is fully operational.

Today, on my way to Sankamphaeng, I was sitting in my car at the Bosang intersection, when I saw this big sign.

It was decorated with all the flags of the participating countries of Asean and read literally: "The people from Tonpao sub district are proudly to be the one of Asean".

Now this is a sign, that has probably been put there by local government, to express how proud this sub-district is to be, ..... what ???

I guess, part of Asean, but it might just as well be, that they are proudly announcing that they will be number one of Asean, who knows.

So I was thinking; there are so many foreigners living in Chiangmai, that could help local government with English skills.

They could help for instance by, checking English messages before they are publicized.

Lets call this new idea: "Ask Your Local Farang".

I would avoid a lot of silly sounding publications and help improve knowledge of the English language of local government officials.

A win - win situation.

Think about how strong we could be together within Asean !!

[khunsuar]

a good idea. I know I have seen many rather confused signs and have gotten even more confused as to what the intent of the sign was. I did figure out after a bit that some of them are written in reverse of their stated intent. I have several times written down the correct phrase that might make

It easier to understand, and passed it to the relevant person, who usually smiles, nod, accepts the paper, but doesn't change anything. This is also expected.

[hanno]

One of my pet hates is all the bad English here in Cambodia (if you think Thailand is bad, come over here) as I have always thought along your lines.

I work in a hotel and since I am here all documents intended for the public have to go across my desk. Now, not every business might have an English-speaker working there, but there are plenty of native English-speaking back-packers around; I am sure for a beer and a banana pancake they would be more than happy to proof-read.

[David48]

Just want to clarify your OP.

You are complaining how a foreign language is written in Thailand?

As opposed to that they are trying ... admittedly with mistakes.

.

[chickenslegs]

Just want to clarify your OP.

You are complaining how a foreign language is written in Thailand?

As opposed to that they are trying ... admittedly with mistakes.

.

I don't think anyone was complaining - just suggesting that there are many English speakers around who would be happy to help but aren't asked.

[hanno]

Just want to clarify your OP.

You are complaining how a foreign language is written in Thailand?

As opposed to that they are trying ... admittedly with mistakes.

.

\I think you misunderstand the OP. The way I see it, and that is how my reply was meant, is not that anyone expects the Thai to speak or write fluent English. But rhere are resource out there to avoid putting up signs or notices that could potentially harm businesses or the image of Thailand.

[theblether]

There was a campaign in Shanghai before the World Expo to purge it of Chinglish, English speakers were invited to correct the signage and the businesses etc were obliged to act on it.

It worked well all round, so great idea.

[David48]

Just want to clarify your OP.

You are complaining how a foreign language is written in Thailand?

As opposed to that they are trying ... admittedly with mistakes.

.

I don't think anyone was complaining - just suggesting that there are many English speakers around who would be happy to help but aren't asked.

We both know that what you suggest is not how it works in Thailand ... rightly or wrongly.

My statement is a positive ... I'm just happy that they tried.

The message is not directed at neither you nor me ... but to the other ASEAN* countries who may visit ... and English is not their first language either.

*Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam

[hanno]

There was a campaign in Shanghai before the World Expo to purge it of Chinglish, English speakers were invited to correct the signage and the businesses etc were obliged to act on it.

It worked well all round, so great idea.

They did the same thing in Beijing when I worked there.

[Gsxrnz]

I do find some signs a little confusing.

[hellodolly]

I do find some signs a little confusing.

handi.JPG

That was for people with bad vision

[hellodolly]

Best to be careful of who you speak to or what kind of mood they are in.

they might ask to see your work permit.

[Beetlejuice]

I have been on about this subject for years

The reasons foreigners are not asked to assist with English language pronunciations, writings and other matters regarding foreign affairs is because of arrogance and the admission that the so-called Thai perfecters of the English language are not up to the job and will lose face and credibility.

And this is why the hiring of foreigners, (paid or voluntary), to assist with foreign language matters or with regards to advising and assisting other foreigners in Thailand will never happen.

Perhaps this thread should be titled: Ask your local Farang, but don`t let anyone see you asking?

[Pops]

Just want to clarify your OP.

You are complaining how a foreign language is written in Thailand?

As opposed to that they are trying ... admittedly with mistakes.

.

To clarify, No I am not complaining at all, you completely miss my point here.

First of all, I do not mind people making mistakes when using a foreign language and I fully applaud the effort, naturally !

However when the mistake occurs in a publication, with which one want to bring a message across, it can completely screw up the message.

This seems rather counter productive.

Therefore I said, why not combine forces between Thai and local Farang (that are there anyhow), to get the messages in English (or any foreign language) across correct and at the same time, help improve foreign language skills at local government level.

There are many Farang out there that would be glad to spend some hours weekly to assist local government, I am sure.

That was all.

[Bluetongue]

I remember an anti litter campaign in Phuket years ago. They must have sent someone to Wales to study how they did it there. All of a sudden literally hundreds, maybe thousands of signs appeared in English and Thai. I don't know what the Thai said but the English was "Keep Wales Clean"

[Wavefloater]

We see examples of bad English everywhere, and it's apparent that Thais either don't see the errors, or their pride won't let them ask a farang for help with the English language. Don't forget that in the lower grades Thai students are actually given textbooks that teach them to be wary of farang -- that they are unsavory characters for the most part. I think it's mostly a matter of face-saving, and Thais wouldn't accept such help and may possibly be offended at such an offer.

Where I work, I we tried that exact thing the OP was talking about, and it was a flop. All correspondence being send to the general staff had to be checked for accuracy. Some Thais absolutely refused to have their writing evaluated/corrected by a farang, and those that came for help changed most of the corrected mistakes back to the errors they originally wrote. I got to the point where I wouldn't help them anymore because it was offensive how they reversed my (and all other farang's) corrections -- seemed like they didn't trust what we did.

Besides, isn't English a dying language here in Thailand? It's Russian that they should be learning.

[Huayrat]

Why help the Thai government they dont do anything to help you staying here..

[Issangeorge]

I worked with a Thai English Teacher that did some translation for the government, then she gave it to me to translate into readable and proper English, so some Thais will take advantage of a native English speaking person's knowledge. As an aside have you ever read the English questions on their ONET exams? They sure were not written by a native speaker.

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 6 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[mopar71]

Just want to clarify your OP.

You are complaining how a foreign language is written in Thailand?

As opposed to that they are trying ... admittedly with mistakes.

.

I don't think anyone was complaining - just suggesting that there are many English speakers around who would be happy to help but aren't asked.

Sure, offer help then get deported for not having a work permit.

[mopar71]

.

First of all, I do not mind people making mistakes when using a foreign language and I fully applaud the effort, naturally !

However when the mistake occurs in a publication, with which one want to bring a message across, it can completely screw up the message.

This seems rather counter productive.

Therefore I said, why not combine forces between Thai and local Farang (that are there anyhow), to get the messages in English (or any foreign language) across correct and at the same time, help improve foreign language skills at local government level.

There are many Farang out there that would be glad to spend some hours weekly to assist local government, I am sure.

That was all.

In another country long ago, I was one of 2 native English speakers out of about 60. When our company would place English language adverts, there were always mistakes. The company never bothered to ask either of us to check and we were already on the payroll.

[MrJohnson]

Why help the Thai government they dont do anything to help you staying here..

Is it the responsbility of the Thai Government to help you to stay here?

[simple1]

I have been on about this subject for years

The reasons foreigners are not asked to assist with English language pronunciations, writings and other matters regarding foreign affairs is because of arrogance and the admission that the so-called Thai perfecters of the English language are not up to the job and will lose face and credibility.

And this is why the hiring of foreigners, (paid or voluntary), to assist with foreign language matters or with regards to advising and assisting other foreigners in Thailand will never happen.

Perhaps this thread should be titled: Ask your local Farang, but don`t let anyone see you asking?

Pattaya City Council initiated a program to assist some of their staff with spoken English by volunteers from the expat clubs. As did a local government hospital. Don't know if the programs are ongoing

[bkkgriz]

The reason we are not asked is due to loss of face. Any Thai who is in any kind of position of authority would never risk looking bad by asking a lowly farang. Anyone who has had the pleasure of taking the Teacher's Council of Thailand tests will understand this completely.

[Zooheekock]

Given the poor language skills of most English-speaking immigrants in Thailand, it's probably not a very good idea.

[Zooheekock]

Given the poor language skills of most English-speaking immigrants in Thailand, it's probably not a very good idea.

[aTomsLife]

I've had this thought, too. But that even the so-called English language newspapers OBVIOUSLY don't hire NES as editors, I don't see much hope for the government on this point either.

[marstons]

The day the Thai's start asking native English speakers how to write English will be the day they ask the Dutch about flood control, as in never because they know the correct way to deal with both these matters. They even recently put up a poster of super hero's Batman superman etc to say well done to students, also had Adolf Hitler on there as a super hero. Reason given only Thai history taught at school. Think even they now know maybe they should have asked a farang on that one. he was the only human figure on there but nobody thought to ask who he was. Nice idea, never happen.

http://www.theprovince.com/news/Thai+university+apologizes+over+Hitler+superhero/8661448/story.html