BKKdreaming Posted May 26, 2013 Share Posted May 26, 2013 (edited) is there a list of common English words that are difficult to pronounce for Thai speakers. Everyday words and business use. I am trying to help someone who speaks decent English but needs some help pronouncing some words . Thanks for your help Edited May 26, 2013 by BKKdreaming Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddy B Posted May 26, 2013 Share Posted May 26, 2013 If they have the basics and say the r's and l's, it will just need practice. It's the silent letters in the english language when reading that usually confuses them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whybother Posted May 26, 2013 Share Posted May 26, 2013 Many have ploblem with problem. I have found that they can't place their tongue properly for 'r's and 'l's, and words/letters that where the tongue should touch the top of the mouth or the teeth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aidenai Posted May 26, 2013 Share Posted May 26, 2013 S-sound at the end of a word. There're no Thai words with the s-sound at the end of a word that's why it's difficult for Thai people. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sustento Posted May 26, 2013 Share Posted May 26, 2013 "l" at the end of a word and "v" all the time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gsxrnz Posted May 26, 2013 Share Posted May 26, 2013 Aspiration is the key for many English words. The Thai language finishes the majority of words with a closed mouth. If they learn to aspirate at the conclusion of an English word that ends in a consonant or an s, it makes a huge difference. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masuk Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 There are whole books written on this subject, but one word that caught me a few times was "Sah Cotland" (Scotland), "Sah Wensens" (Swensens). When I first arrived here, I asked a tuk-tuk driver to take me to Global House hardware complex. He was puzzled, asked a few others, and eventually the light came on: "AHHHH. Globan Hau"!! Got it. BKK Dreaming: if you PM me, I'll scan and send you some pages on "Thai Speakers" from a chapter on "Thai Speakers". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Scott Posted May 27, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted May 27, 2013 Clock. They have a lot of trouble with that word. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donnie Brasco Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 Sa-ked-you-wan = schedule 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Payboy Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 Clock. They have a lot of trouble with that word. Yeah, that's a mouthful. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kotsak Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 Clock. They have a lot of trouble with that word. Of course it's easier if you pay them for their time.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puchooay Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 Bulb. I have never been able to get a Thai to say this word properly. Even my daughter has problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mooner Posted May 27, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted May 27, 2013 Not a spoken thing but has anyone noticed how many Thais who very competent English writers get tired and tried mixed up. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whybother Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 Not a spoken thing but has anyone noticed how many Thais who very competent English writers get tired and tried mixed up.But aren't they just cute little angles? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sustento Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 Clock. They have a lot of trouble with that word. Yeah, that's a mouthful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoonToong Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 Flower Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post rct99q Posted May 27, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted May 27, 2013 I find they have difficulty in saying "I'll pay for that" but maybe it is just me. 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsokolowski Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 Squirrel. My wife has struggled with this word, and still isn't 100% correct. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post prestburypark Posted May 27, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted May 27, 2013 On a slightly different note, my Mrs came to England and, speaking about chilli told my friends around the dinner table: "I like to eat prick". 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FDog Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 Refund 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Thaddeus Posted May 27, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted May 27, 2013 Thirty thousand thieves thought it was Thursday and drank milk from a thistle shaped glass. Try it.. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samuidreams Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 I've had plenty of 'wanilla' milkshakes in Thailand 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GooEng Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 Try them with "ridiculous" or "ludicrous" if you want a laugh with added irony. Or the tongue twister "red lorry, yellow lorry". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puyaidon Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 I hear some Thais speak English either not well or funny but at least they are speaking. My girlfriend has a laughing fit on my pronunciation of some Thai words. I have been known to butcher some Thai words. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sustento Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 Try them with "ridiculous" or "ludicrous" if you want a laugh with added irony. Or the tongue twister "red lorry, yellow lorry". That's just cruel 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xen Posted May 27, 2013 Share Posted May 27, 2013 (edited) I hear some Thais speak English either not well or funny but at least they are speaking. My girlfriend has a laughing fit on my pronunciation of some Thai words. I have been known to butcher some Thai words. Quite agree . If the Thais are having problems with" r" and " l" and sometimes "h" etc and sounding funny then it the same when we speak Thai and fail with the tones and completly change the meaning of the word. Same same but different . Edited May 27, 2013 by xen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traxster Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Some of my Thai friends come from 'Korat' but they pronounce it 'Kolat'....... go figger !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masuk Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Did you try "she sells sea shells by the sea shore"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masuk Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 I find they have difficulty in saying "I'll pay for that" but maybe it is just me. I've often wondered about that. I recently did a long car trip with some Thais, and suggested we pool some money (kitty) to pay for tolls and fuel. I was politely ignored, and as I had no wish to be the resident ATM, had to ask for their share of the money most times and at tolls. "Thank you" seems to be very rarely used, and I can cook a good dinner (hopefully) or take friends to see a movie. Almost never is there a word of thanks and I'm left with the feeling that the two legged ATM has been used once again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SICHONSTEVE Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 "l" at the end of a word and "v" all the time Thai's don't have a letter for V - the nearest is wor waen ว and they often (if not always) omit sala e ิ when it is at the end of a word eg: Suvarnabhum(e). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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