How to Master English Words in Thai: Simple Advice

This advice is from the book: How to Master English Words in Thai Book I

Evolution of the Thai Language
In the early days, life was simple with a limited English words. Now, with the advent of computers, cars,
banks, ice cream, and thousands of other terms, life has become more complex. Consequently, the Thai
language has borrowed many words from other languages such as English.

Using Borrowed English Words in Thai
When using borrowed English words in Thai conversation, it is crucial to remember that Thai
pronunciation is exclusively employed. If an English word contains sounds not present in Thai, those
sounds are adapted to fit the Thai sound system, including vowel combinations. These adaptations can
sometimes alter the sounds to the extent that comprehension becomes difficult when hearing them spoken. Nevertheless, you’ll need to acclimate to this phenomenon, as many borrowed words lack suitable Thai equivalents and are frequently encountered.

Language Creativity and Tones
In Thai, the creativity in language often involves blending English and Thai elements, resulting in unique
expressions. Tones play a crucial role in distinguishing meanings, leading to different pronunciations.
Even when the pronunciation might sound the same, context plays an essential role for understanding the
correct meaning.

Perspective on Loan Words
Thai people don’t distinguish between original Thai words and loan words; for them, all words are Thai,
regardless of origin. This book introduces a vast number of borrowed English words used by Thais.

Speaking Thai
It’s not necessary to know the Thai script or writing system to speak Thai proficiently. Your priority
should be learning everyday words, mastering all Thai sounds, and understanding sentence construction in order be able communicate with Thais. With sufficient time and effort, gaining a solid grasp of the Thai
language is achievable, laying the foundation for your further learning path. However, this process will
vary for each learner.

Thai script
All words are written in sound-based symbols and in Thai script. We have divided each borrowed English
word into syllables to make it easier to follow the Thai writing system and learn how borrowed English
words are written in Thai.

Practical Tips
If you are in Thailand, start using Thai words from day one. Don’t be afraid; treat it as a fun game to see if
Thais understand you, especially when mixing in English words. In sections A and B, we offer adapted
transliterations to help English speakers pronounce borrowed English words more naturally. Not everyone
in Thailand pronounces borrowed English words the same way; so, experiment to find what works best
for you.

Simple advice
Whether you choose to use English or Thai words, you must pronounce them in a way that Thais can
understand. Thai people may prefer using borrowed English words instead of Thai words if the English
term is shorter and well-known.
English consonant sounds are similar to Thai sounds when they occur at the beginning of a word or
syllable. However, English is spoken widely with various accents, leading to significant differences in
sounds, especially vowel sounds, depending on the speaker and their location.
Thais often say, “I pronounce this English word like this.” Thai people generally understand each other when using borrowed English words, even though there are individual variations in pronunciation. In
practice, there are no strict rules. You need to find your own way and learn to speak in a manner that is
understood in Thailand. Being understood is only half the challenge; understanding what others say is
equally important. This book provides tools and insights on how to apply Thai sounds to borrowed
English words.

Practical Tips
In Thai, understanding relies heavily on context and the person you are speaking to. You might manage
with your natural English pronunciation for consonant sounds. However, correct tone, vowel length (short
or long), and final sounds are also crucial. The closer you approximate the Thai way of speaking, the
better you will be understood.

Simple advice
As a foreigner, there are several ways to overcome the challenge of using English words while speaking
Thai. First, you can imitate how Thai is spoken, which requires exposure to the language, possibly by
spending time in Thailand. Secondly, you can read books that explain the structure of the Thai language.
Unfortunately, there aren’t many books that specifically cover how to use borrowed English words in
Thai, and learning new English words can be difficult. Third, you could learn to read and write Thai,
which involves mastering the Thai script—a challenging task. If you choose this path, you should learn
the tone rules to properly master tones through the script.
Whether you choose to learn to read and write the Thai script or not, understanding the Thai tonal system
is essential. Final sounds, known as open or closed (also referred to as live and dead syllables), are
integral to this system. Equally important is mastering the correct pronunciation of all five Thai tones.