Why do oriental asians mix-up "L" and "R" ?

[papa al]

This has perplexed me for quite some time!!

[HeijoshinCool]

Why do oriental asians mix-up "L" and "R" ?

Well, since you put it that way, guess because they were disoriented years ago.

[Songhua]

Why do oriental asians mix-up "L" and "R" ?

Well, since you put it that way, guess because they were disoriented years ago.

But only on occASIAN.

[HeijoshinCool]

Why do oriental asians mix-up "L" and "R" ?

Well, since you put it that way, guess because they were disoriented years ago.

But only on occASIAN.

Cute, but back in the west, "oriental" is not PC.

Get it now?

[JoeThePoster]

Cos' they don't know their R's from anything L's.

[ExpatOilWorker]

Because they don't roll their R's, like Latin languages. Case Closed!

Or maybe they don't know the difference between a boat and a monkey.

[Digitalbanana]

I've never understood it either and I have experienced left/rigth confusion mostly in Thailand and Indonesia. It's not as if the words are similar sounding in those languages either. Garuda Indonesia Flight 152 being a case in point?

[Travel2003]

Why do so many of us mix up the various Thai vowels?

[kannot]

Why do oriental asians mix-up "L" and "R" ?

Well, since you put it that way, guess because they were disoriented years ago.

But only on occASIAN.

Cute, but back in the west, "oriental" is not PC.

Get it now?

Thankfully we arent in the West!!

[thailiketoo]

The same reason many of us can't roll our "R's" or make the NG sound. Depends on what you learn as a child.

Or there is that horse sound that angry Thais make. I can't do that either.

[aussieinthailand]

also long since vexed with the "V"

[snake24]

why do so many westerners have problems learning oriental languages.

Also why do american blacks pronounce ASK as AXE replacing the S with X. Now that's a problem cos that will be racist.

[Stradavarius37]

OP - where did you learn the term "oriental asian"? lol Never heard anyone pair the words together before.

[h90]

why do so many westerners have problems learning oriental languages.

Also why do american blacks pronounce ASK as AXE replacing the S with X. Now that's a problem cos that will be racist.

Or let anyone not German speak the ch and sch.

It seems so easy for any German speaker but almost impossible for anyone else.

[snake24]

why do so many westerners have problems learning oriental languages.

Also why do american blacks pronounce ASK as AXE replacing the S with X. Now that's a problem cos that will be racist.

Or let anyone not German speak the ch and sch.

It seems so easy for any German speaker but almost impossible for anyone else.

Can you show an example?

[h90]

why do so many westerners have problems learning oriental languages.

Also why do american blacks pronounce ASK as AXE replacing the S with X. Now that's a problem cos that will be racist.

Or let anyone not German speak the ch and sch.

It seems so easy for any German speaker but almost impossible for anyone else.

Can you show an example?

Words like:

"bischen" or "Eichhörnchen"

(means: little and squirrel)

I wanted to refer to google translate which good speak before, but now this button isn't there anymore.

These changes from S to CH (here it is not a sch) and the complete Eichhörnchen seems to be incredible difficult for some people.

We tried that once in the office and from 10 Thais, 9 couldn't speak it even half correct. While number 10 didn't had any problem and couldn't even understand what the problem should be.

Many people from other languages have particular problems to speak these things. My guess is, that Dutch is even more difficult on these sounds.

I of course can speak that perfect....but no way I get the toning in Thai right or the ng in Thai.

For most people I guess you need to learn it as child or be very talented.....I think I'll need 100 years to be good in Thai.....

[HeijoshinCool]

OP - where did you learn the term "oriental asian"? lol Never heard anyone pair the words together before.

Thank you. Go to the head of the class.

[sustento]

OP - where did you learn the term "oriental asian"? lol Never heard anyone pair the words together before.

In the UK an 'asian' is someone who originates from the Indian sub-continent. Maybe the OP was trying to differentiate.

[teatree]

Why do oriental asians mix-up "L" and "R" ?

Well, since you put it that way, guess because they were disoriented years ago.

But only on occASIAN.

Cute, but back in the west, "oriental" is not PC.

Get it now?

Oriental is perfectly acceptable and is no more offensive than Western.

[rijb]

Why do oriental asians mix-up "L" and "R" ?

Well, since you put it that way, guess because they were disoriented years ago.

But only on occASIAN.

Cute, but back in the west, "oriental" is not PC.

Get it now?

Oriental is perfectly acceptable and is no more offensive than Western.

It would be fun to watch you say that to my 6' half-Thai daughter. She says the term 'oriental' is for rugs.

[Gsxrnz]

Because in Thai the L's and R's are largely interchangeable in the spoken language, and they seem to default to the L in everyday talk. Listening to a Hiso Thai speaker that can nail (and actually roll) their R's can be quite hard on the ear. It's almost like a Scotsman has been giving them speech lessons.

We do the same - in English we can interchange D's and T's, or not clearly express or aspirate the final consonant in many words, particularly D's T's and K's.

[arminbkk]

It is peculiar, especially since there are quite a few words in Thai have an "R", even start with one: rong rian (school), mai roo (don't know), to name two.

I understand that the actual proper way to pronounce Thai words is with the "R", not the "L".

But comparing it a bit, using "L" requires less effort that "R".

I guess that could be the answer.

[zeichen]

"Oriental is perfectly acceptable and is no more offensive than Western."

Oriental is designated description for objects and Asian for people.

But perhaps you still use occidental instead of western.

Thais in general are much better are pronouncing L and R than east Asians are. Most Thais I know can roll the r for most words with a little practice. East asian just use L sound for both.

Perhaps the OP can create a linguistic guide on how these ignorant orientals can improve their English ability so that they can rive a bettel rife.

[h90]

Because in Thai the L's and R's are largely interchangeable in the spoken language, and they seem to default to the L in everyday talk. Listening to a Hiso Thai speaker that can nail (and actually roll) their R's can be quite hard on the ear. It's almost like a Scotsman has been giving them speech lessons.

We do the same - in English we can interchange D's and T's, or not clearly express or aspirate the final consonant in many words, particularly D's T's and K's.

Look at the southern Thais....the often speak very hard R as well.

[Neeranam]

Because they don't roll their R's, like Latin languages. Case Closed!

Or maybe they don't know the difference between a boat and a monkey.

Why boat and monkey?

[samran]

I guess if you can't yet say in Thai 'new wood doesn't burn, does it?' then you have your answer.

[whybother]

Why do they mix the L's and R's?

Because they don't know where to place their tongue in their mouth when saying L.

[ravip]

Cos' they don't know their R's from anything L's.

Or maybe they don't know the difference between a boat and a monkey.

The OP asked "Why do oriental asians mix-up "L" and "R" ?"

What sort of place would someone be coming from to give the above type of answers?

Guess they are confused where their entrance & exits are.

What appalling mentalities.

[HeijoshinCool]

Why do oriental asians mix-up "L" and "R" ?

Well, since you put it that way, guess because they were disoriented years ago.

But only on occASIAN.

Cute, but back in the west, "oriental" is not PC.

Get it now?

Oriental is perfectly acceptable and is no more offensive than Western.

Ruh?

[kevozman1]

Yes most seem to have an issue with their R's. People in SEA are quite good though in general with their accent and rhythm of speaking English. Most far east places in Asia are quite pathetic for whatever reason in their ability of grasping English, probably on the same level as people from my country picking up Thai to be fair. I can certainly understand peoples take on English from SEA waaaaayy more than most people I have talked to from East countries.