ศาลาชุมนุม

[JLBO]

Hello

I do not understand the phonetics for the sound "oo" (= "ou" in french)

For คุก (short wovel) you use a double "oo" : khook and for ลูก (long wovel) it is a double "uu" : luuk (same for ปู bpuu)

and in the same time, double "uu" has a completely different sound in the translitteration of เผลอ : phluuhr

so when I read phonetics with "uu" I am often a bit lost

Thanks

[David and Bui]

Please note that on this site you have the option of changing the system of romanization you see in this site's dictionary.

Click on "site settings" in the left-hand column and scroll down to "Romanization and Phonemic Thai". Click on and off the systems you want displayed. Remember to click on "save changes" in the relevant section before you leave.

[JLBO]

Thanks but I was not complaining, just trying to understand

[David and Bui]

Thank you for your note, JLBO. Just like "de gustibus non disputandum", transcription or romanization systems are idiosyncratic to the person who creates them. They are dependent on the creator's native language and dialect.

Seems to me that the most important element of a transcription system is the breadth of its acceptability, not its inherent accuracy. So, I wish I could respond rationally to your question here, but, unfortunately, I cannot.

[Toffeeman]

This shows the problem with using Romanization in learning Thai. You actually have to learn another alphabet to understand the sounds. Especially if your native language isn't English. That's why learning the Thai alphabet asap saves a lot of time and hassle. Yes, it takes longer than learning a Romanization alphabet but in the long run it is far better.

[JLBO]

Thanks, yes learning the thai aphabet, which I did, helps a lot. I can read now, but most of the times I do not understand what I read yet
I need learning more and more vocabulary.

[David and Bui]

For additional structured reading practice I recommend the series หัดอ่านภาษาไทยแบบใหม่ [Learning to Read Thai the New Way] Volumes 1-7 by ไสว สุนทร [Suwai Suntorn], ISBN Volume 1: 974-90393-3-5, 50 baht; Volume 2, 974-90394-4-3, 50 baht; Volume 3, 974-90740-7-6, 60 baht; Volume 4, 974-93172-7-0, 100 baht; Volume 5, 978-974-623-778-9, 100 baht; Volume 6, 978-974-13-6198-4, 105 baht; Volume 7, 978-974-05-3290-3, 110 baht.

See http://www.thai-language.com/book-reviews#3