Attempting to Learn Thai 11
April 17, 2007
Months in Thailand: 9.5
Hours at AUA: ~820 (Level 5-10)
Other study: None since I started at AUA (before that, some minimal self-study and 6 very poor classes at another school)
In Class:
No update. AUA closed for Songran back on the 6th, so there is nothing to tell.
Out of Class:
I went to Chiang Mai for Songkran with 6 friends: one other American, a Malay guy who works in Singapore, and four Thais. During the trip (which I will post about soon) there was a lot of English being spoken, but also a great deal of Thai. In particular, when it was just me and some combination of the Thais, it was usually Thai, and I was definitely a part of the conversation. I didn't follow 100%, but I was understanding the gist almost all the time, and following the details the majority of the time. I was speaking quite a bit too and being well understood, though I still can't really express complex or nuanced thoughts very well at all. All told, for the first time I felt that I was fully participating in long, fully Thai conversations, rather than speaking one-on-one with someone who is substantially adjusting their speech for me. Amazing.
April 17, 2007
Months in Thailand: 9.5
Hours at AUA: ~820 (Level 5-10)
Other study: None since I started at AUA (before that, some minimal self-study and 6 very poor classes at another school)
In Class:
No update. AUA closed for Songran back on the 6th, so there is nothing to tell.
Out of Class:
I went to Chiang Mai for Songkran with 6 friends: one other American, a Malay guy who works in Singapore, and four Thais. During the trip (which I will post about soon) there was a lot of English being spoken, but also a great deal of Thai. In particular, when it was just me and some combination of the Thais, it was usually Thai, and I was definitely a part of the conversation. I didn't follow 100%, but I was understanding the gist almost all the time, and following the details the majority of the time. I was speaking quite a bit too and being well understood, though I still can't really express complex or nuanced thoughts very well at all. All told, for the first time I felt that I was fully participating in long, fully Thai conversations, rather than speaking one-on-one with someone who is substantially adjusting their speech for me. Amazing.
posted by Dan at 4:10 PM
2 Comments:
Hi Dan,
I am really enjoying your blog. I wish Emily and I could fly out there for a visit, but on a half-time youth pastor's salary, that won't quite be possibe.
Morgan Campbell
Morgan! Great to hear from you man, and thanks for reading my blog! I'll send an email with more soon.
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