Was That Funny or Unusual?

[yy]

Of late, I'm happy to have the opportunities to speak face to face with Thai friends (e.g. ask about Thai pronunciation, understand Thai culture), while the Thais are happy to have friends to practise speaking English with (cos they can't speak Thai to us beginners).

Something interesting and rather amusing occurred a while ago. A Thai friend, T, and I were discussing about what Thai people generally do when they feel stressed and anxious. T said that Thais usually go to Wats to obtain a more peaceful frame of mind to help them make better decisions about what to do. I then remarked with, "Oh, to see the Luang Phor and ask for advice?" Immediately, T burst into uncontrollable laughter which continued for many moments. I thought I got the pronunciation wrong (hence the laughter) but T explained between giggles, "No, no, no... It's correct but just that only native speakers use the term 'luang phor'... You should just say 'monk'..."

I'm not offended or anything about it, just totally bewildered what's the joke behind non-Thais saying "go to see Luang Phor" rather than "go to see the monk". T insisted, while continuing to giggle, that if other Thais heard what I said, they would laugh too.

Now, what's so unusual or amusing about non-Thais saying "go to see Luang Phor"? Or is it just a case of sabai sabai - having harmless fun with mundane stuff?

[djaidee]

I could imagine that for a Thai it might sound very strange to hear a "Farang" say "Luang Phor", as this shows the person must have a very good insight of Thai Language, Culture etc. and that's what most Thais wouldn't expect from a "Farang".

But I must say that I hadn't such an experience yet and I say "Luang Phor" all the time.

Maybe your Thai friend was just surprised, because he knows that you don't speak Thai, but how can you know the special term "Luang Phor".

Another situation which I encountered many times, and might be of similar background is: when you address a Thai by speaking Thai, most Thais will think that a Farang can't speak Thai and their Brain is waiting for something in English - it will take some time for them to recognize that you speak in Thai to them and for them to switch their Brain Modus from English to Thai, therefore they don't understand what you are speaking even when you speak with perfect Sentence Structure, correct Tones etc.

[Susana]

Djaidee, That is exactly what happened to me when my daughter and I went into a new Thai restaurant in her town. The wait person seemed to be new to the English language, and so I thought I would speak to her in Thai. She just looked totally confused. I said to K that I knew my Thai was never really good, and now it's kinda rusty, but still . . .? K said 'Mom, she just doesn't get that you are speaking Thai'. I guess that was really the case.

[djaidee]

Yes, indeed Susana, happened to me many times and to some of my friends too - they think that you surely are speaking English and get confused why they don't understand a single Word.

It takes the Brain some time to realize that you are speaking Thai when it's expecting English instead.

[Nymphaea]

I agree with djaidee. Also, for me sometimes when I hear/see a foreigner uses words that are not the basic words, or new slangs, I just feel like smiling or even giggling , thinking 'awww cute > < ~~~'. Sometimes, it might be misunderstood as laughing at that person, but as I said personally I just find it cute .

[alvinkhoo]

I agree with djaidee. Also, for me sometimes when I hear/see a foreigner uses words that are not the basic words, or new slangs, I just feel like smiling or even giggling , thinking 'awww cute > < ~~~'. Sometimes, it might be misunderstood as laughing at that person, but as I said personally I just find it cute .

จีจีล้อ

[yy]

After reading all the responses here, I think that it appears to be more of a case that T was pleasantly surprised by a non-Thai-speaker's use of the word "luang phor" (cos I can't really speak Thai) and maybe also tickled pink by the combination of English and Thai words in that particular statement I made? I am assuming that it was not because he could not register the meaning of the words cos he did say that he understood what I meant and that it was said correctly - he just kept on laughing and saying why I used the word "luang phor', that the word "luang phor" was "too serious", that it was meant to be used by native speakers blah blah blah

[ian71]

Hi
I think Tod touched on this and his thought, or the way i thought he meant!

Also the way i now do is to say something basic first, to break the Ice and get their brain tuned to the fact you might be able to speak thai,
Then say what you want to say,

For me its the same as when you speak to a westener you believe to speak English and they splutter out some foreign stuff!!! It can take your brain a while to reset to Talk to a non English speaker the same as i beleive happens to most Thais

[Marie]

I think sometimes it's because of the heavy accent or incorrect pronunciation of the foreign speaker, that's why we cannot recognize the words right away.

[PeaBrain]

"When I hear a foreigner trying desperately to learn new words or slang in English, I smirk and laugh under my breath. It's not that I am being arrogant about my native language, immature, or cruel, I just find it bolsters my twisted ego."

I am proud to say I will show the utmost patience and respect for anyone trying to learn the English language.