Online Thai Language Learning

[Jun]

I didn't mean Google Translate. I meant just Google.

Google and google translate use the same database. Type I like. with a full stop and I get the same error in the audio track.

By the way, yes Chan usually means female, but can be interchangeable. Whoever sees or hears the translation ought to be able to figure out you are male unless you're talking to a moron. You don't need to have any qualms about using it in translations.

I don't mind minor errors when I'm merely translating. For example, during a visit to M-Bar.

Given that some of the lads in Pattaya use ka, it wouldn't surprise me if they use Chan as well. Some of those are probably the types that a certain board member would expect to be lining up for gender reassignment.
I'm intending to use Pom.

When I'm intending to learn the vocabulary, I want it to be correct. Hence dual sourcing translations.

[billyhouston]

I was using this site in Thailand, on my Android tablet: http://www.thai-language.com/id/234098

I'd also like to use it at home on my PC, but so far no amount of fiddling around will get it to play the audio files on either of my browsers.
If anyone else finds the audio files work on their PC, I might persevere in trying to fix it.

Also, I'd like to hear about any similar sites.

Use the site's control panel to change the audio files from WMA to .mp3

Works fine in Chrome.

[Jun]

Use the site's control panel to change the audio files from WMA to .mp3 Works fine in Chrome.

Thank you. Now I have that working in Chrome, although I thought I tried that setting yesterday, without success.

It still doesn't work in Firefox with the same settings, but I can tolerate Chrome for that site.

[christianpfc]

I get posts about Thai language learning on Facebook and Instagram, and they all speak a lot of English before coming to the point. That would be a huge waste of time for me, and in general I think language learning should quickly switch to using the target language in class, even if slow and with repeats and translations. In Chinese I quickly found material that uses Chinese to teach Chinese.

I recently was in Shenzhen, the world electronics capital, and salespeople in electronic malls used digital translators (the size of a mobile phone, and a screen like a mobile phone, but other than that a different system as far as I can tell) to good success: he speaks Chinese and the machine displays written Chinese and English translation, and can read out the English as well. I should have taken a closer look, where those devices are for sale, which languages they support and to know if it works offline.

[Jun]

I get posts about Thai language learning on Facebook and Instagram, and they all speak a lot of English before coming to the point.

I find that too.

I tried recording the audio off You Tube Thai teaching videos, so I can listen to it whilst out for a walk. There's usually far too much waffle in there.

I then tried editing this down with audacity.
In the most recent case, I've reduced the track length by 66% without losing any content. I probably should have cut 75%.

[Jun]

OK, let's imagine a scenario, meeting a boy & requiring Thai language skills to handle the following:

1 Introductions, names, age, where he's from etc. Very easy to find on the internet.

2 Establishing his intentions. Effectively determining if he'd like to take things a lot further. For instance, is he a willing money boy ? Preferably without directly asking if he's a money boy. Or if he's one of those rare guys who likes people 30+ years older than him.
What are good Thai phrases to use here ?

3 Discussing what he likes to do (intimate)
Unless he's the hottest boy in Pattaya, I wouldn't ask if he wants to go with me before finding out what he likes to do in bed & making sure he looks keen whilst explaining that.
If anyone knows a suitable source of intimate vocabulary, I'd like to know it.
The whole area is obviously a minefield, with multiple words and multiple meanings.
That's just English, before we probably find the same thing in Thai. e.g. Suck and "this sucks" are very different & I suspect incorrect translations may be offered.

[Gaybutton]

If anyone knows a suitable source of intimate vocabulary, I'd like to know it.

I don't know of any. It it helps anything, I speak Thai quite well, but I don't know much intimate vocabulary. I know some, but not much. But I have never had a problem getting my meaning across and the boys have never had a problem understanding what I want.

In other words, I've never found that type of vocabulary in any way necessary. Have you?

[Jun]

In other words, I've never found that type of vocabulary in any way necessary. Have you?

I like to know what someone would be comfortable doing back in my hotel room. If I confirm this beforehand, I find the success rate goes up dramatically.

So far I've got by dealing only with boys who speak enough English or use translation apps proficiently. However, certain bars have recruited a few cute Lao boys who barely speak any English. So some more vocab would be useful.

[Gaybutton]

However, certain bars have recruited a few cute Lao boys who barely speak any English. So some more vocab would be useful.

The Lao boys usually also speak Thai as well as Lao, so the translation apps are your best bet. As far as I know, an app that translates some of those more intimate vocabulary words just doesn't exist - at least not yet.

If the translation apps are not giving you the words you want, the only other thing I can think of to do would be to write down words and phrases you want, find a boy whose English is proficient enough, and have him give you the words and phrases - even if you have to take him off.

These two videos may also help:

[Jun]

If the translation apps are not giving you the words you want

That's the big unknown.
Google almost always provides a translation. However, where a word has multiple meanings, I need to check and cross check with other sources before expending effort to learn the vocab.

The only other thing I can think of to do would be to write down words and phrases you want, find a boy whose English is proficient enough, and have him give you the words and phrases - even if you have to take him off.

I may have to try that.

I had already seen one of the videos by that lady on you tube. I believe she's using a lot of euphemisms.

Not every bar boy is interested in taking an off. Some already have boyfriends, long term customers or may have other reasons why they are content to just earn tips for drinks at present.
Also, outside of Pattaya, boys on apps are not always looking for offs.

Therefore, I like to be quite subtle up to the point where he declares he's a MB with some interest in going off with me.
Then quite direct about what's required to earn his money.

In the rare cases where money isn't expected, I don't ask so many questions.