Contents:
-
1 x 64 page illustrated colour course book
-
4 x 60 minute support CDs
Why learn the Thai language?
From breathtaking mountains and rain forests to clean sandy beaches, Thailand
is an undeniably beautiful, exotic and exciting country. Learning Thai
gives visitors a unique perspective of Thailand's rich culture and
friendly locals. Give yourself a chance to get the most out of Thailand
and start learning Thai today.
Thai Grammar Thai is a tonal language, so the pitch or tone with
which a word or syllable is pronounced determines its meaning. For example
the Thai word 'maa' can mean 'horse', 'dog' or 'come' depending on the
tone with which it is pronounced.
More confusingly 'klay' means either
'near', when pronounced with one tone or 'far', when pronounced with
another!
While this sometimes causes the western learner problems in
the initial stages, the grammar compared with more familiar European
languages, is relatively easy.
Like many other south-east Asian
languages, Thai can use the same form of a noun to indicate both singular
and plural meanings and the same form of the verb to indicate a variety of
tenses.
Although Thai does not have a rigid grammatical structure, it
does have some fascinating idiosyncrasies. For example, there is no single
word for 'yes' in Thai. Vowels in Thai are sometimes written on top of a
consonant, sometimes underneath it and sometimes surrounding it on three
sides.
Thai Writing Thai is written in an alphabetical script
that originated in South India. The earliest surviving writings are stone
inscriptions dating back to the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.
Since
then many letters have undergone considerable changes in appearance, and
to read the old script you need special training.
One of the most
striking features of the modern Thai writing system is the absence of the
spaces between words. Letters generally flow uninterruptedly through a
sentence.
When spaces do occur, they often correspond to some form of
punctuation mark in English such as a full stop, comma or question mark.
Thai itself seldom uses punctuation marks and there are no capital letters
in the Thai script.
Finally . . .
Should you be lucky enough to
visit the bustling city of Bangkok, be sure to use the abbreviated name
otherwise it will take you some time to pronounce. The city's full name is:
"KRUNGHEEP
- PHRAMAHAA NAKHOON BOWOON - RATTANAKOOSIN MAHIN THARAAYUTTAYAA MAHAA
DILOK -PHIPHOP NOP PHARAT RAAT CHATHAANII - BURII ROM UDOM SANTISUK. (Tone
marks omitted).
or in other words:
"The City of Gods. The Great
City. The Residence of the Emerald Buddha. The Impregnable City (of
Ayutthaya) of God Indra. The Grand Capital of the World endowed with nine
precious gems. The Happy City, abounding in enormous Royal Palace which
resembles the Heavenly Abode where reigns the Reincarnated God. A City
given by Indra and built by Vishnukarn."
