Making Out
in Thai
Revised Edition
by John Clewley
revised by Benjawan Jai-Ua and
Michael Golding
TUTTLE Publishing
Tokyo | Rutland, Vermont | Singapore
The Tuttle Story: "Books to Span the East and West"
Most people are surprised to learn that the world's largest publisher of books on Asia had its humble beginnings in the tiny American state of Vermont. The company's founder, Charles E. Tuttle, belonged to a New England family steeped in publishing. And his first love was naturally books —especially old and rare editions.
Immediately after WW II. serving in Tokyo under General Douglas MacArthur, Tuttle was tasked with reviving the Japanese publishing industry. He later founded the Charles E. Tuttle Publishing Company. which thrives today as one of the world's leading independent publishers.
Though a westerner. Tuttle was hugely instrumental in bringing a knowledge of Japan and Asia to a world hungry for information about the East. By the time of his death in 1993. Tuttle had published over 6,000 books on Asian culture. history and art-a legacy honored by the Japanese emperor with the "Order of the Sacred Treasure." the highest tribute Japan can bestow upon a non-Japanese.
With a backlist of over 1.500 titles, Tuttle Publishing is more active today than at any time in its past-inspired by Charles Tuttle's core mission to publish fine books to span the East and West and provide a greater understanding of each.
Published by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.
Copyright © 1999 Charles E.
Tuttle Co. Inc.
Copyright © 2004 Periplus
Editions (HK) Ltd.
All rights reserved.
LCC Card No. 95174525
ISBN: 978-1-4629-1396-1 (ebook)
Printed in Singapore
16 15 14 13 12
11 10 9 8 7 6
1202CP
Distributed by:
North America, Latin America & Europe
Tuttle Publishing, 364 Innovation Drive,
North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436 U.S.A.
tel: 1 (802) 773-8930 | fax: 1 (802) 773-6993
Japan
Tuttle Publishing, Yaekari Building, 3F
5-4-12 Osaki, Shinagawa-ku.
Tokyo 141-0032
tel: (81) 3 5437-0171 | fax: (81) 3 5437-0755
Asia Pacific
Berkeley Books Pte Ltd, 61 Tai Seng
Avenue #02-12, Singapore 534167
tel: (65) 6280-1330 | fax: (65) 6280-6290
TUTTLE PUBLISHING® is a registered trademark of Tuttle Publishing, a division of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.
Contents
| Introduction | |
| 1. | What's Up? |
| 2. | Got a Minute? |
| 3. | Say What? |
| 4. | Did You See That? |
| 5. | Let's Go! |
| 6. | Eat, Drink, Be Merry! |
| 7. | As You Like it |
| 8. | Mind Your Mouth! |
| 9. | Steppin' Out |
| 10. | Lovers' Language |
| 11. | The Other Side |
Introduction
So you want to speak phaasăa thammadaa (phaasăa thammadaa) or common Thai like the Thais do, but you're scared of the five tones, the funny script, and the fact that you didn't do so well in high school French. You may have tried different Thai language learning books, but you just can't deal with all the funny-looking tone systems, the funky grammar and the far-out rules. And then what the books tell you seems far from what you hear when you're with Thais in the office or at bars. They seem to use phrases that somehow didn't find their way into those Thai language grammar-based textbooks!
You're frustrated; you want to meet Thais and say some authentic Thai while you're at it. Well, forget your worries and let this little book serve as your guide to the back streets and secret passageways of the language! Don't worry too much about the tones, they'll come with practice. And while you're about it, there's a barrowful of help here too so that you don't say suay "bad luck" instead of sŭay "pretty"!
If you just want to talk to Thais on a day-to-day basis, you're going to have to break out of that strict grammar mould You're going to listen more, become receptive to language and be more aware of the earthier currents in your communication. We all know what benefits you'll gain from following these true and tried tips. This book will guide you in your quest, and give you a taste of Thai tones too. So read on...
INFORMATION
As you see from the difference between suay and sŭay, Thai is a tonal language. It has five tones: mid or level, low, falling, high and rising—this is the order the Thais use. While the tone on an individual word can be vitally important, in general context, tones are not something to worry about. You can give the context by carefully noting then pronouncing the