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:
Picture of the Royal Palace, right ?
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...
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!
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!"
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
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.
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 ;-)
Thanks, Dimi. I'd bet a good Bt3,000 you're correct.
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