Jason1988 Posted February 7, 2011 Posted February 7, 2011 Based on that analysis, you just told a substantial number of the Thais up north they haven't a clue about their own language. Bangkokian Thai may be the official Thai government version of the language but it isn't all that often spoken up here. I went to trivia night last night at a British pub here in Chiangmai and sat with an Irish guy, a Welsh guy, and a guy from London. With my midwestern US language, I can assure you that none of us spoke the same language last night - or so it seemed. But I didn't bother telling them that they didn't have a clue about the English language..... If you are from the midwest United States then you obviously know that there are different dialects in the english language that many americans use. The northeast has some quirks as well as the southern part of the United States. English may well have come from England and they too have many dialects. Some of which I can barely understand. Incorrect pronunciation of words isn't something just Thai. It happens in almost every language. The proper pronunciation of a foreigner of european decent is farang. Let's all try to get it right! Quote
Guest gwm4sian Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 The proper pronunciation of a foreigner of european decent is farang. Let's all try to get it right! Isn't that rather a racist comment? I hate to dissent, but who are we to judge if a foreigner is of decent descent? Quote
Bob Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 Incorrect pronunciation of words isn't something just Thai. It happens in almost every language. The proper pronunciation of a foreigner of european decent is farang. Let's all try to get it right! I understand your support of the government-approved Bangkokian Thai but that's not how it's pronounced in the north or northeast. I pronounce it here in Chiangmai just like almost all the Thais around these nether regions pronounce it and that's as "right" as I care to be. If that's considered being a hillbilly or whatever, I proudly join 30+ million other Thais. I'd note that it's been a while since I told the Kennedys how to correctly pronounce their "r's" either. It's "park" the car you boneheads, not "pahk" the car! Quote
Guest Thor69 Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 I understand your support of the government-approved Bangkokian Thai but that's not how it's pronounced in the north or northeast. I pronounce it here in Chiangmai just like almost all the Thais around these nether regions pronounce it and that's as "right" as I care to be. If that's considered being a hillbilly or whatever, I proudly join 30+ million other Thais. I'd note that it's been a while since I told the Kennedys how to correctly pronounce their "r's" either. It's "park" the car you boneheads, not "pahk" the car! There aren't that many Kennedys left to instruct Bobby Boy, most all are dead! Quote
Guest GaySacGuy Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 When I listen to the locals talking in Issan, it is definitely falang. Quote
Guest Thor69 Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 When I listen to the locals talking in Issan, it is definitely falang. It may be pronounced as "falang" but in reality the word is farang. Just as the Brits pronounce Pattaya as Pa-Tai-Ya doesn't make it correct. Language gets slaughtered in every country. Look what the Americans have done to English! Quote
Bob Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 It may be pronounced as "falang" but in reality the word is farang. Just to be accurate, it's "farang" (or pretty close to that with a rolled "r" given it's difficult to use English letters to exactly transliterate most Thai) in the government-approved Bangkokian Thai. It's not "farang" to half of the country nor has it ever been. Quote
