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Learning Formal Thai with Ani

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"Sawasde Kha" Hello every body... let learn how to speak Thai.

Ani, formal Thai language expert, has been studying Thai in high school, college and university for over 17 years.  She was born and lived in Thailand for 24 years.  She holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration (Information Systems) from Rajamangala Institute of Technology, Thailand. 

"I'm fluent in Thai, and I would be happy to help translate from Thai to English on most things."  

Special thanks to Ken (My English Advisor)

Introduction

Thai language is a unique language and quit a bit hard to learn because you will find the differences of  the intonations and accent.  It depends on people who live in these areas :

Northern, speak slowly and sounds more polite than southern and north east with the word "Jaw" ending.  

Southern, speak fast and reduce words in the sentences when communicate with people from the south, for example "Where are you going? = Khun pai nai"  reduces to "Nai?"  "I'm going home. = Chan pai ban" reduces to "Ban".

North East, there a bit difference in some words, and an accent, also mixed with Laos.

Middle and Bangkok, speak regular speech, and also use formal language. 

The formal language are used in spoken and written in school, organization, business and government.  In the other hand when you speak with special kind of people such as the royal family or monks, then the differences words will be using.  We write and read a words in a sentence from left to right, and usually no space or intervals between them.  In the modern Thai, there are 44 consonants. Of these, 16 are redundant, leaving in all 28 basic consonantal sounds. The redundant consonants are used chiefly in transliteration of Sanskrit and Pali words. In fact, there are two consonants in this redundancy which have become obsolete.

There are 9 simple vowels and 12 diphthongs with corresponding relative long and short sounds and also 3 triphthongs, making in all 45 vowels both long and short. The final consonants of words or syllables are g, t, p or their corresponding nasal consonants and the two semi-vowels y and w. Such endings have non-explosive sounds. Words of foreign origin, especially Sanskrit and Pali, if ending in consonants other than g, t, p are usually pronounced like the above three consonants nevertheless.

Thai also describe things in the opposite way (back word).  Thai isn't easy to learn, but depending on practice to get more skilled.

 Now are you ready?  Let's go...then!

Manners and Greeting

Thai people always greet one another with the word "Sawasdee" (means "Good morning, Good afternoon or Good evening) They also put their two palms together in front of their chests or under the chins, and bow slightly.  This is the Thai custom instead of shaking hands.  When taking leave, the same word "Sawasdee" and procedure is also repeated.

"Krab" (Short pronounce) is used to show agreement or acceptance for men (Means "Yes" or "Sir" or "Ma'am")

"Kha" (Short pronounce) is used to show agreement or acceptance for women.

"Mi-chai krab" or "Mi-chai kha" is used for refusal or in the negative answers.

Example