Thai language resources - pronouns

[elisheva_m]

Learning to pick out the more common Thai pronouns in series dialogue has been really helpful for understanding how the speakers see the relationship between themselves. I don't feel confident in where the parameters are so I'll just defer to some of the better resources I've come across for explanations.

"I love you" is a good place to start listening for/skipping back to when it comes up in subtitles as it's generally whatever they're using for the I pronoun + rak + their choice of you pronoun. Phi (if one is older) and the other person's name is common (so P'Med and Thun in He's Coming to Me would say "Phi rak Thun" and "Thun rak phi"). When a relationship changes, sometimes one will ask the other to change a pronoun. Sometimes though, pronouns will be omitted and "rak na" used instead. At least I think it's rak na :)

There are two "na"s. Both are particles, a not-quite-a-word which comes at the end of a sentence and modifies it. Some particles can also be used as words, like the sentence was omitted. One "na" softens a sentence, so "rak na" has a similar feel to "love ya". (I think. If someone who knows more says differently, believe them.)

The other na asks for a confirmation. Used on its own, it's usually translated as "please" in subtitles. "Will you do this for me na? Na?"

The Shipper is a good series for hearing gu and mueng, the "rude" forms of I and you used by students amongst themselves. Phingphing uses her name as her "I" a few times (and phi as "you" for her faen Way) and it really stands out because of the repetition. Ph in Thai isn't a f sound as in phone. It's a slightly aspirated P.

A List of All Common Thai Pronouns and How to Use Them Like a Pro by ExpatDen
This site in particular is worth reviewing often. There's a lot to take in but it will make more and more sense as you pick up context from series for the more common ones.

Back with more later. My brain hurts just trying to write about this. Chan rak Thai pronouns though ;)

Video resources - language and culture

[elisheva_m]

Gathering together helpful video resources I've found


Perth Nakum is an English-speaking Thai-Australian actor and vlogger. Well worth many listens. As a starting point, here's his explanation of raikantopeni and how to say it.

Decoding Thai is a channel (also a website and teaching program) by a native-Thai teacher named Bo. If you listen to the Let's Talk BL podcast you might know her as their translator and Ayla's teacher. On her youtube she has a collection of clips where she translates lines from series and explains different aspects of the language.

Others have uploaded versions of Osts with the lyrics in Thai, translation into English or another language and the Thai syllables written in Latin letters. Include "Romanized lyrics" in your youtube search string along with the title to find them. Earworms = learning opportunities :) And check out different ones if they're available for your song, you might get on better with one than another.

If you're not sure where to start with that, or your current earworm goes too fast to follow, try "Never Too Late" (search for: never too late ost romanized lyrics) from 55:15. The tempo is slower and steady, it has a good groove and to my ears at least Khaotung's pronunciation is clear and easier to make out than some. And watch the series too, it's an under-appreciated gem (on GMMTV's official youtube channel of course). Then come talk with me about it. Na? :D

Back with more later.

Thai language resources - misc

[elisheva_m]

4 ways to say "yes" in Thai (please click the link if you use this so they get the views)
i'll sum up here too

* chai  ใช่  /chây/  - confirmation of a yes/no answer
* repeating the verb - sometimes a useful way to pick up a verb from dialogue
* คะ /ká/ or ครับ / krâb/ - to respond when someone calls you
* ได้ /dâi/ - confirming the possibility, "can do". my favourite because they usually say it with enthusiasm :)

more on ได้ /dâi/, specifically mai dai, can't do (reddit link)


Thai2English translator which also gives transliterations (syllables in Roman/Latin characters)

Dated (2015) and what's rare ("western" mouth kisses on telly) isn't anymore, but otherwise an explanation of the Thai sniff kiss. When a BL boy sniffs another's cheek, it's not repression. It's just a different way of doing things.