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If you want to know a culture well, a good way to start is to try to learn the language they use there. I have now studied thai for two cources in Chulalongkorn University in Krung Thep (The thai name for Bangkok.) The language is very fun to learn. Its quite different from western languages in the way that they have 5 different sounds. For example the word mai can mean several different things: may (rising tone) = question marker may (low tone) = new may (falling tone) = not, denying marker Especially confusing is this word: klai (falling tone) = close klai (straight tone) = far So the word "klai", if you prononce it wrong; has the opposite meaning. If someone asks you if its far to a place; and you answer "klai" with the wrong tone; you may say the opposite of what you mean! The thais have their own alfabet. There are about 40 conconants and 20 vocal sounds. There are many consonants because the initial consonant of a syllable marks how the following vocal sound will be. |
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Thai Language |
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"Open-ended prostitution" |
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