Language and Linguistics
The Matrix of Language: Same Sign, Different Message Many expats in Thailand, China, and Indonesia often tell me they get around just fine without knowing the local language. It is a fair statement, but it is a bit like the movie The Matrix. Once you have had a taste of
Language and Linguistics
Have you ever spent weeks, months … even years learning a language only to have people still scratch their heads trying to figure out what you’re saying? .. Or even worse? How do you know that people are really getting the message you intend them to get? Have you ever had
Language and Linguistics
Pick a Language Any Language Over the past 2 weeks, I have received over 50 messages, comments and emails from people all over the world asking about how they should embark on learning a language. I normally keep the following for people who enroll in my Cracking Thai Fundamentals programme,
Language and Linguistics
“Wow! You speak Chinese so well …. you must have a Walking Dictionary!? 哈哈哈哈” “Wow! You speak Thai so well …. you must have a Walking Dictionary!? 5555” “Wow! You speak Korean so well …. you must have a Walking Dictionary!? ㅋㅋㅋㅋ” “Wow! You speak Bahasa Indonesia so well …. you must have a
Braille
I had a sensuous train ride today. I’ve gotta tell you – you would be amazed what two Taiwanese women on a train will say to each other in Chinese in front of you when they think that you don’t understand them! I milked the situation for all it
Farsi
Sifting through the propaganda in the aftermath of 9/11 Just after 9/11, I can remember the same feeling. The western news agencies were akin to a synchronised swimming team. The sound bites coming out slowly changed over time, though no matter what news channel you turned on on
Chinese
Everything in this universe can be broken down into binary – 0′s and 1′s. I love to draw the curtain back and reveal the 0′s and 1′s… perhaps we could call this ‘Wizard of Oz’ syndrome – the Wizard is never as scary as he’s made out
Language and Linguistics
[](http://stujay.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/floobenflahter-flasks-copy.jpg)### If it’s like that on Floobenflahter, surely it’s like that on Earth? A ‘Floobenflahter’ from the planet Floobenflahter landed here
Language and Linguistics
It's no secret that Thailand is a haven for pirated goods. Handbags, Clothes, Accessories, Electronic Devices and of course Software and DVD's. There are many different grades of ‘fakes' too – cheap fakes normally reserved for the tourists around MBK, Silom etc… Middle of the Road
Language and Linguistics
When asking foreigners that have been in Thailand for any reasonable amount of time “How’s your Thai?”, I often hear the answer “Oh, I speaka bit of Taxi Thai and that’s about it”. Striking up a conversation with ataxi driver is a great way to build up fluency
Thai
Swee Sar Pok Wee’ Flai Lai – What’s in an accent? My grandfather used to tell me “When you’re learning a language, you want to try your best to avoid having speakers of that language complimenting you. If people are complimenting you on how well you’re speaking ‘their’