I've been bad, so far, at sharing much of what it's been like getting used to a new language, culture and lifestyle. I'll try to correct that starting now, with a bit on the language.
What's most challenging is, of course, the fact that the Thai alphabet is not based on Roman letters. It's a jumbly mess (to my untrained eyes) of 44 consonants that look like pretty much nothing you've ever seen. Unless you've seen Thai.
There is the obvious problem: It's incredibly hard to learn. But then, less obvious: While most signs for streets and businesses have an "English" translation of the Thai words, there are many different English "spellings" for the same Thai word.
Take, for instance, the name of the big street off which my hotel stands: I've seen it spelled Narihadwas, Naradhiwas, Naradhiwat. While the middle spelling appears most often on maps (and even the hotel's stationary), I've had all sorts of trouble with taxi drivers understanding it. "Naradhiwat" seems to be the way to go there.
Anyway, one of many small challenges. None insurmountable (so far), thankfully.
PS: Huge thunderstorm right now, with some cool lightning.
i think you need to introduce the kingdom to a little thing called a "copy" "editor"
(and we have plenty for hire)
Posted by: CBJones | August 22, 2007 at 08:54 AM