Sunday, September 5, 2010

Stop Work: Taking A Day Off

Something that's always amused me is how some of my Thai friends say they're taking a day off from work. Here in the U.S. we'd say "I'm taking tomorrow off work to..." or "I'll be off tomorrow because..." - whereas many Thai will say "I'm stop work tomorrow" of "I stop work tomorrow and Monday for...".

I'm not making fun of them here, you understand - goodness knows most of my friends speak more English than I do Thai, and the more educated professionals (especially the doctors and the dentist) speak correct English.

Nevertheless, those with a more rudimentary knowledge of English often have things they've probably heard from other, like "stop work". I think it's kind of endearing.

So, this being Sunday and I have a full list of things here that need doing, "I'm stop work" and do a proper post tomorrow. Have a good day!

8 comments:

Dimi said...

Picture of the Royal Palace, right ?

khunbaobao said...

Although I'd named the file as Wat Po, it's three images of the palace stitched together into one, I believe. It's embarassing not to be 100% sure, though - I've been to both so many times. Maybe I'll get on a plane and go verify it...

Ray said...

I had a young friend from Issan who spoke Tinglish is a lovely way. He had many adorable sayings but the one that sticks in my mind is the time I rang him and he told me that there was "big raining" and that "it rain like dog and cat".

Now I have heard it said that "it's raining like cats and dogs" but I like his version so much more!

khunbaobao said...

My friend who writes Rice Queen Diary has also mentioned a few examples of tinglish on his blog (link to the right). It's not a new topic, but who cares? Maybe I'll collect some examples I've heard and post a list soon - thanks for the idea!

By the way, another I've heard from Isan/Issan/Isaan/Isarn is "Oh! So hot now! I will die!"

krobbie said...

Bobey, who, as you know is not Thai but lives in BKK always says the someone is coming to "pick up me" instead of "pick me up". I would guess this is a direct translation from many of the languages he speaks.

Cheers Keith

khunbaobao said...

Yes, and I've also liked "my friend me" rather than "my friend". There are so many - maybe I'll make note of the ones I know and people can add to that. RQ Diary had a post about that, too - I think.

Dimi said...

If one can trust Wikipedia, the picture is indeed of Wat Phra Kaew (aka house of the Emerald Buddha), in the Grand Palace "district".
But I agree, being familiar with so many places can sometimes result in a blur ;-)

khunbaobao said...

Thanks, Dimi. I'd bet a good Bt3,000 you're correct.