"Greng Jai" How to say in English?
Apatt Seriniyom
"Oh no! I don't want to put you out"
Another one I'm curious about is "boon" as opposed to "barb", "barb" is
"sin" but what's "boon"? (Not to be confused with "boon" in English
which means something like "bonus" or "windfall", and nothing to do with
English "barb" which is a pointy thing)
--
Best regards / Apatt
.---. .-----------
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/ / \( )/ -----
////// ' \/ ` ---
//// / // : : ---
// / / /` '--
// //..\\
====UU====UU====
'//||\\`
''``
---------------------------
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice.
In practice,however, there is.
---------------------------
Sanpawat Kantabutra
: How do you say "geng jai" in English? In *one word* not something like:
"You're welcome" or "Don't mention it" would be the closest in case
that you want to say "Don't geng jai". But if you want to say "geng jai"
when you feel "geng jai" to ask people for help, for instance, you may
say I feel "uncomfortable" to ask for help. This is what I can think of
for now. Anyone thinks of a better way ?
: Another one I'm curious about is "boon" as opposed to "barb", "barb" is
: "sin" but what's "boon"? (Not to be confused with "boon" in English
"boon" is equal to merit. You "Tum Boon". You "make merit".
Sincerely, Sanpawat
: In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice.
<<<<<<<<< There is much difference between theory and practice. >>>>>>>
<<<<<<<<< Theory tends to be those of rotten stuffs but innovative >>>>
<<<<<<<<< whereas practice tends to be practical but not creative >>>>>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
John Sharman
apat...@mozart.inet.co.th "Apatt Seriniyom" writes:
> How do you say "geng jai" in English? In *one word* not something like:
> "Oh no! I don't want to put you out"
/kreng- jai/ is two words in Thai; why do you think that English can do
it in one? Sethaputra's dictionary gives: to fear, to be afraid of, to
be in awe of, to revere and to respect, all of which have their place.
But I guess you're really referring to the phrase /mai" tOOng" kreng-
jai-/ which translates as "Don't stand on ceremony" or "Make yourself at
home" or just "Don't worry"
--
Regards,
John Sharman
+====================================================================+
| John Sharman Internet: jay...@norvic.demon.co.uk |
| Tel/Fax: +44 (0)1603 452142 |
+====================================================================+
Robert M. Hearn
"greng jai" can't be defined in English with a word or two,
but the idea can be explained in a phrase or two, I think.
to "impose" upon someone, or to feel as if you are "imposing"
is as good a place as any to begin to convey the idea in English
believe it or not, Americans do feel the same feelings as Thais,
despite the language difference
sample dialogue:
Q. Why don't you ask your roommate if he would mind if you had
some friends come over for dinner?
A. I really can't ask him; I feel it would be too much of an
imposition on him, especially on a Saturday night.
Phil Pybus
apat...@mozart.inet.co.th (Apatt Seriniyom) wrote:
> How do you say "geng jai" in English? In *one word* not something like:
> "Oh no! I don't want to put you out"
Considerate
>
> Another one I'm curious about is "boon" as opposed to "barb", "barb" is
> "sin" but what's "boon"? (Not to be confused with "boon" in English
> which means something like "bonus" or "windfall", and nothing to do with
> English "barb" which is a pointy thing)
>
Boon = Merit
Phil
Boonyakiat Saengwan
apat...@mozart.inet.co.th (Apatt Seriniyom) wrote:
>How do you say "geng jai" in English? In *one word* not something like:
>"Oh no! I don't want to put you out"
To be considerate of another feeling = greng jai
>
>Another one I'm curious about is "boon" as opposed to "barb", "barb" is
>"sin" but what's "boon"? (Not to be confused with "boon" in English
>which means something like "bonus" or "windfall", and nothing to do with
>English "barb" which is a pointy thing)
Virtue
Got them from dictionary of SS. ;)
Regards,
Virtueyakiat S.
Busakorn Suriyasarn
On Fri, 9 Feb 1996, Apatt Seriniyom wrote:
> How do you say "geng jai" in English? In *one word* not something like:
> "Oh no! I don't want to put you out"
There probably isn't the *one word* that completely substitutes
the Thai meaning of "greng-chai". I guess one will have to find different
ways to express that in English. The closest one word that I can think of
is "considerate". However, it seems to me that one will have to go with
more than one word to get the closest meaning of "greng-chai", for
instance, to express *I* "greng-chai", one can say:
"I hope I'm not imposing."/ "I don't want to impose."
"I don't want to be inconsiderate", etc.
To describe someone as being "greng-chai" IMO would be easier, for you
can choose among some adjectives that are synonymous with "considerate".
"She was being considerate/mindful/thoughtful."
> Another one I'm curious about is "boon" as opposed to "barb", "barb" is
> "sin" but what's "boon"?
I often see the word "merit" used as "boon", e.g. "tam-boon"
is expressed as "make merit(s)". Sometimes, I myself use "good deeds"
and "bad deeds" as "boon" and "baab".
My best try as a non-expert in linguistics. Perhaps, professional
linguists or someone well-versed in linguistics out there can offer better
choices.
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
o /\./\ "Od" Busakorn Suriyasarn o
* ( @_@ ) *
* >=*=</~ bs38...@oak.cats.ohiou.edu *
* ( | ) 4500...@mmail.oucom.ohiou.edu *
o "" "" o
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
>
Busakorn Suriyasarn
On Tue, 13 Feb 1996, John Sharman wrote:
> In article <4fesgt$s...@senior.nectec.or.th>
> apat...@mozart.inet.co.th "Apatt Seriniyom" writes:
>
> > How do you say "geng jai" in English? In *one word* not something like:
> > "Oh no! I don't want to put you out"
>
> /kreng- jai/ is two words in Thai; why do you think that English can do
> it in one? Sethaputra's dictionary gives: to fear, to be afraid of, to
> be in awe of, to revere and to respect, all of which have their place.
> But I guess you're really referring to the phrase /mai" tOOng" kreng-
> jai-/ which translates as "Don't stand on ceremony" or "Make yourself at
> home" or just "Don't worry"
I think Khun Apatt was looking for a way to say /kreng-chai/ as a
(active) verb in English. It's much easier to find equilavent expressions for
/kreng-chai/ as an adjective or as a negative statement, e.g. "[She is]
considerate/thoughtful." or "Don't worry." [as /mai tOOng" kreng-chai/ as
you suggested].
However, as a native Thai speaker, I understand that it's a lot
harder to find an English expression that precisely translates "I [feel]
/kreng-chai/." For instance, you can't say "I'm considerate/mindful/
thoughtful." because it sounds awfully funny and inappropriate in English.
You can't say "I'm worried.", either because it's not exactly what you
mean to say.
Indeed, there may not be one single precise expression/word for
the term, because language after is culturally constructed. To say "I
[feel] /kreng-chai/. ", we will have to go an indirect way by saying "I
don't want to impose." or something along the same line.
In a final note, as a non-expert (I may be wrong), I don't quite
agree with some of Sethabutra's definitions of /kreng-chai/, esp. 'to
fear' and 'to be afraid of'. There's a difference between /kreng/ and
/klua/ [afraid, fear], while there's even a combined word of the two
/kreng-klua/ or /klua-kreng/.
/kreng/ refers to a (normally positive-neutral) feeling of awe and
respect/concern combined (i.e. you don't want to do anything that may
challenge or transgress the authority/position of the person you /kreng/).
Yet, that's a little different from /klua/ which precisely means being
afraid of or fear. Commonly, /klua/ carries a more negative connotation,
e.g. being afraid of [/klua/] crime, robbers, ghosts, or police ;-),
while you don't /kreng/ these people or things.
Again, you can both /kreng/ and /klua/ a person at the same time.
For instance, the way the Thais /klua-kreng/ authorities, government
officials (and people in uniforms). Or another example maybe a child who has
very strict & stern parents, /kreng-klua/ them, esp. when doing something
wrong (and are afraid of punishment).
/kreng-chai/ reflects more positive elements of concerns, respect,
consideration and courtesy for the person(s) being /kreng-chai-ed/, i.e.,
the /kreng-chai-ing/ person does not want to cause troubles for or
impose on the /kreng-chai-ed/.
Ralph Janus
"Greng Jai" by itself. When used in a sentence, you may want to translate
it differently, depending on the context, by as a stand alone
translation, "to impose" is pretty acurate.
Ralph Janus
John Sharman
bs38...@oak.cats.ohiou.edu "Busakorn Suriyasarn" writes:
>
> On Tue, 13 Feb 1996, John Sharman wrote:
>
> > In article <4fesgt$s...@senior.nectec.or.th>
> > apat...@mozart.inet.co.th "Apatt Seriniyom" writes:
> >
> > > How do you say "geng jai" in English? In *one word* not something like:
> > > "Oh no! I don't want to put you out"
> >
> > /kreng- jai/ is two words in Thai; why do you think that English can do
> > it in one? Sethaputra's dictionary gives: to fear, to be afraid of, to
> > be in awe of, to revere and to respect, all of which have their place.
> > But I guess you're really referring to the phrase /mai" tOOng" kreng-
> > jai-/ which translates as "Don't stand on ceremony" or "Make yourself at
> > home" or just "Don't worry"
>
> I think Khun Apatt was looking for a way to say /kreng-chai/ as a
> (active) verb in English. It's much easier to find equilavent expressions for
> /kreng-chai/ as an adjective or as a negative statement, e.g. "[She is]
> considerate/thoughtful." or "Don't worry." [as /mai tOOng" kreng-chai/ as
> you suggested].
I am fascinated by the way in which differences of culture and psyche
manifest themselves in structural differences between the Thai and
English languages. Of course you could say the same about many pairs of
language contrasts between the East and West.
It is immediately noticeable that Thai grammar rules are much less
rigid than the formal rules of English. In English the distinction
between transitive and intransitive verbs is generally *very* clear. In
Thai it is so blurred as to be almost non-existent. Similarly the
passive voice is used in Thai only in restricted circumstances and very
much less commonly than in English.
> However, as a native Thai speaker, I understand that it's a lot
> harder to find an English expression that precisely translates "I [feel]
> /kreng-chai/." For instance, you can't say "I'm considerate/mindful/
> thoughtful." because it sounds awfully funny and inappropriate in English.
> You can't say "I'm worried.", either because it's not exactly what you
> mean to say.
At a psychological level of some depth, this seems to be because people
in the West do not regard the persona, emotions or feelings of another
individual as a linguistic "object" and hence there are few if any verbs
which can be applied transitively to them.
> Indeed, there may not be one single precise expression/word for
> the term, because language after is culturally constructed. To say "I
> [feel] /kreng-chai/. ", we will have to go an indirect way by saying "I
> don't want to impose." or something along the same line.
Exactly. There is a somewhat similar situation in relation to the verb
to be "shy". In English we cannot use this transitively whereas in Thai
/aai- khao+/ is quite correct.
> In a final note, as a non-expert (I may be wrong), I don't quite
> agree with some of Sethabutra's definitions of /kreng-chai/, esp. 'to
> fear' and 'to be afraid of'. There's a difference between /kreng/ and
> /klua/ [afraid, fear], while there's even a combined word of the two
> /kreng-klua/ or /klua-kreng/.
Here the problem is that the English words cover a spectrum of meanings
and intensities of meaning. "I'm afraid I shall be five minutes late"
does not exactly imply that the speaker is quaking in his shoes. It can
be an expression of the mildest regret, whereas /klua-/ implies a more
intense feeling. In English, "afraid" is merely the passive form of
"fear".
> /kreng/ refers to a (normally positive-neutral) feeling of awe and
> respect/concern combined (i.e. you don't want to do anything that may
> challenge or transgress the authority/position of the person you /kreng/).
> Yet, that's a little different from /klua/ which precisely means being
> afraid of or fear. Commonly, /klua/ carries a more negative connotation,
> e.g. being afraid of [/klua/] crime, robbers, ghosts, or police ;-),
> while you don't /kreng/ these people or things.
As a rough rule of thumb, I would say that any situation in which a
child might want to run away would justify /klua-/
> Again, you can both /kreng/ and /klua/ a person at the same time.
> For instance, the way the Thais /klua-kreng/ authorities, government
> officials (and people in uniforms). Or another example maybe a child who has
> very strict & stern parents, /kreng-klua/ them, esp. when doing something
> wrong (and are afraid of punishment).
The facility in the Thai language to create intermediate meanings by the
juxtaposition of words is extremely useful and it is regrettable that it
exists in English only in an embryonic and underdeveloped form.
> /kreng-chai/ reflects more positive elements of concerns, respect,
> consideration and courtesy for the person(s) being /kreng-chai-ed/, i.e.,
> the /kreng-chai-ing/ person does not want to cause troubles for or
> impose on the /kreng-chai-ed/.
You're right. "I feel concern for your feelings" is unnatural in
English. The truth is that there is no equivalent short expression. But
that's because farangs don't actually /kreng- jai-/ anybody - it's not
their way :-)
Apatt
>(active) verb in English. It's much easier to find equilavent expressions for
>/kreng-chai/ as an adjective or as a negative statement, e.g. "[She is]
>considerate/thoughtful." or "Don't worry." [as /mai tOOng" kreng-chai/ as
>you suggested].
Hi K. Busakorn
At last we meet in SCT! :-)
*serious hat on* Greng jai is one of my favourite Thai words, I think
the fact that it's (possibly) unique to our language says some
positive things about us. When I was learning to speak English (ooh...
a couple of months ago...) this is one of the first words that I
wanted to say, and felt a little frustrated that I could not.
Don't Americans say "I don't want to put ou out" when they feel greng
jai?
BTW Why do you all spell it with a "K"? I like "G" better! *sulk*
Can you (SCT gang) think of any more Thai words that have no
translation? No rude ones please, it's not hip, cool, witty or
interesting in any way, shape or form.
At the moment, I can only think of English ones that have no direct
Thai equivalent (that I know of) like "surreal" or "hyperspace".
Busakorn Suriyasarn
On Wed, 14 Feb 1996, Apatt wrote:
> *serious hat on* Greng jai is one of my favourite Thai words, I think
> the fact that it's (possibly) unique to our language says some
> positive things about us. When I was learning to speak English (ooh...
> a couple of months ago...) this is one of the first words that I
A couple of months ago? Yeah, right!
> Don't Americans say "I don't want to put you out" when they feel greng
> jai?
>
Yes, I think the expression is more informal, often used among
friends, while similar expressions like "I wouldn't want to impose [upon
you].", "I wouldn't want to be an imposition." are a bit more formal.
> BTW Why do you all spell it with a "K"? I like "G" better! *sulk*
>
Dunno for sure. Perhaps because I have a feeling that "k" is a
more common English phonetic letter used for "kor-kai" [or "gor-gai", if you
like]. Again, I'm no expert.
> At the moment, I can only think of English ones that have no direct
> Thai equivalent (that I know of) like "surreal" or "hyperspace".
What about /goen-ching/ for "surreal"? As for "hyperspace", I
don't think my brain capacity can handle the translation, but I'll give it
a shot anyway.
If 'hyperspace' means 'space above and beyond', how about
/nok-a-wa-gaad/ = 'outside [in] space', or /nue+ a-wa-gaad/ = 'above/beyond
space', or even /nok-nue+ a-wa-gaad/ = 'above and beyond space'.
On the other hand, if one thinks of 'hyperspace' as the great,
super, hyper space 'out there' (at which only USS Enterprise or Voyager
can reach at warf speed), /maha-wa-gaad/ may make sense, too--maha [great,
super] and awagaad [space], merged (sa-mas combination, as opposed to
son-dhi). Just a try.
Busakorn Suriyasarn
On Wed, 14 Feb 1996, Busakorn Suriyasarn wrote:
> What about /goen-ching/ for "surreal"?
I just remember that /nua+ ching/ is more commonly used for "surreal."
-Busakorn
Ralph Janus
A couple of common Thai words come to mind when talking about tranlating
them into English. One is "JOW LAE." Although the meaning is clear,
finding a good English word can be tough. At times the words conniver,
con-artist and manipulator seem appropriate, but I don't feel as though
they're as accurate as I would like. Any ideas?
Another phrase is "HEN GAA DTUA." You hear so many people translating
this to mean "selfish." I would think that "self centered" is more
appropriate.
Out of curiosity, what Thai word would you use for "precious," as in,
"you are precious to me."
Regards,
Ralph
CHARN SORANAKOM
I have just claimed a liitle space in cyberspace. Please visit my
homepage at "http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/3463/". Anyone's welcome.
Thanks
Charn Soranakom
Apatt
>It is immediately noticeable that Thai grammar rules are much less
>rigid than the formal rules of English. In English the distinction
>between transitive and intransitive verbs is generally *very* clear. In
>Thai it is so blurred as to be almost non-existent. Similarly the
>passive voice is used in Thai only in restricted circumstances and very
>much less commonly than in English.
------- snipped for the sake of brevity ---------------
Hey John!
At the end of the day which language is better for expressing one's
feelings, and subtle points? I suppose the answer will be that each
language has its own advantages and ermm... the other ones (I hate
predicatble sentences).
I'm interested in your farang's pespective on this.
Best regards / Apatt
___ ___
(o o) (o o)
( V ) ( V )
/--m-m- /--m-m-
"I wish there was a knob on the TV to turn up the intelligence.
There's a knob called "brightness", but it don't work." -- Gallagher
Kamol Hengkietisak
On Thu, 15 Feb 1996, Ralph Janus wrote:
> I agree with Busakorn. I think "to impose" is the best way to translate
^^^^^^^^^ You mean "not to impose"?
-kamol
Ekkehard Uthke
> Can you (SCT gang) think of any more Thai words that have no
> translation? No rude ones please, it's not hip, cool, witty or
> interesting in any way, shape or form.
How would you translate naam^ jai- into English?
--
Ekkehard Uthke E-Mail: eut...@siam.muc.de | "Macht nichts"
in Datex-J: 0896375888-0001 | "Mai pen rai"
Munich, Germany CompuServe: 100074,3717 | "Never mind"
John Sharman
apat...@mozart.inet.co.th "Apatt" writes:
[..]
> Hey John!
>
> At the end of the day which language is better for expressing one's
> feelings, and subtle points? I suppose the answer will be that each
> language has its own advantages and ermm... the other ones (I hate
> predicatble sentences).
I doubt that I shall ever gain sufficient proficiency in Thai to be able
to give an informed answer to that question.
Those whom I know who are fully fluent in both Thai and English seem to
say that English is better for precise and detailed description or
argument but that Thai is the better for the expression of emotion.
However, with a single exception all of them have been Thai, so it's
hardly a statiscally reliable sample.
Johpa
many shades of meaning depending upon context. However, one of the more
common uses of the term are very equivalent to the American slang term of
"kissing ass".
Happy Trails Johpa
Ross Fenske
I liked all of the different translations of the term "Greng Jai", but I
think that it has do more with a feeling (and I think that that was
mentioned before). "Greng Jai" in my experience included a
feeling of respect for a person combined with a feeling of uneasiness or
uncomfortability. The person feeling "greng jai" does not want to impose
on the other, so they feel to be in an uncomfortable situation, not
really knowing what to do.
What do you think?
Ross
Somchart Chantasiriwan
>Can you (SCT gang) think of any more Thai words that have no
>translation? No rude ones please, it's not hip, cool, witty or
>interesting in any way, shape or form.
Thai word without English equivalent : Sia Dai
English word without Thai equivalent : irony
There are more; these two are my favorite examples.
------------------
Somchart
Dalefinn
>>Thai word without English equivalent : Sia Dai
Can you explain what sia dai means?
- Dale
Philip Hallinger
> translation? No rude ones please, it's not hip, cool, witty or
> interesting in any way, shape or form.
When I first lived in Thailand I was fascinated by the frequent use of
the phrase "moral support" -- gumlung jai -- in the Eng newspapers. It
sounded very out of place since you seldom hear or see the phrase in
English. As I asked others about it, it was clear that this was
basically a for which we didn't have a direct Eng equivalent. As
someone said to me, "the reason we don't have the equivalent word in
regular usage is we don't often give moral support in our culture."
That's true, particularly moral support that carries the connotations
of gumlung jai (public, group, community).
Philip
Kaserin Tammie Kong
In article <4fq0dj$7...@VTC.TACOM.Army.Mil>, Ralph Janus <jan...@cc.tacom.mil>
>I agree with Busakorn. I think "to impose" is the best way to translate
>it differently, depending on the context, by as a stand alone
>translation, "to impose" is pretty acurate.
>
> Ralph Janus
>
describes a feeling, not an action. To impose on someone is different than
feeling like you are imposing on someone and not wanting to do it because you
feel that it will be a burden on someone. I'm not an expert on the Thai
language, but this is how I've heard it used:
A: While you're in town, why don't you stay with us?
B: Oh, it's alright. I can just stay at a hotel.
A: Don't be silly. You don't have to "kreng jai."
Tammie 8>
Ross Fenske
feeling unlucky about something. I have also heard it used when a person
feels some kind of sympathy for another.
Ross
N.J.S. Teesdale
: How do you say "geng jai" in English? In *one word* not something like:
: "Oh no! I don't want to put you out"
: Another one I'm curious about is "boon" as opposed to "barb", "barb" is
: "sin" but what's "boon"? (Not to be confused with "boon" in English
: which means something like "bonus" or "windfall", and nothing to do with
: English "barb" which is a pointy thing)
: --
: Best regards / Apatt
: .---. .-----------
: / \ __ / ------
: / / \( )/ -----
: ////// ' \/ ` ---
: //// / // : : ---
: // / / /` '--
: // //..\\
: ====UU====UU====
: '//||\\`
: ''``
: ---------------------------
: In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice.
: In practice,however, there is.
: ---------------------------
If you insist on 'one word' for "kreng jai", you might want to
try the word 'reluctant', though "Phom rooseuk kreng jai khun"
is probably still best translated with something like 'I don't
want to put you to any trouble', but then that's more than the
'one word' (it's 2 in Thai!) you were asking for.
Nik.
Apatt
dale...@aol.com (Dalefinn) wrote:
>somc...@screw.ucsb.edu (Somchart Chantasiriwan) writes:
>>>Thai word without English equivalent : Sia Dai
>
>Can you explain what sia dai means?
>
>- Dale
An expression of regret, a bit like "if only ...."
Cue: K. Busakorn, K. Kamol, Mr. John Sharman ....
Supavadee Thaveesaengsiri
"Sia-die". My best attempt at this moment would be having you
imagine this little child holding a string of a balloon in his/her
hand. The child is all contented with the feeling of just holding
the cool balloon. All of the sudden the wind blows hard. The
string of the balloon got loosen and let go.
Now the child looking up at his/her balloon; up and away it
goes.......
[Bye]
--
st. :)
Ralph Janus
>Apatt Seriniyom (apat...@mozart.inet.co.th) wrote:
>: How do you say "geng jai" in English? In *one word* not something like:
>: "Oh no! I don't want to put you out"
>
>: Another one I'm curious about is "boon" as opposed to "barb", "barb" is
>: "sin" but what's "boon"? (Not to be confused with "boon" in English
>: which means something like "bonus" or "windfall", and nothing to do with
>: English "barb" which is a pointy thing)
I normally think of "boon" as merit or a virtue. It'd like doing a good
deed. That's my opinion at least.
Ralph
Busakorn Suriyasarn
On Wed, 21 Feb 1996, Gwyn Williams wrote:
> > From: John Sharman <jay...@norvic.demon.co.uk>
> > Date: Fri, 16 Feb 96 00:48:42 GMT
>
> > Those whom I know who are fully fluent in both Thai and English seem to
> > say that English is better for precise and detailed description or
> > argument but that Thai is the better for the expression of emotion.
> >....[cut]
--------
Not necessarily. I'm at the point in which I'm more comfortable
with expression emotion in English. And that's no fun. It's really
frustrating at times.
>
> Such people I know (ie., colleagues) would say that the problem with
> expressing their thoughts in Thai is: 1. Thai lacks much of the
> specialized vocab that has developed in English over the years; 2. they
> did their advanced degrees in English, using English texts, and find it
> difficult to express/translate concepts into Thai.
>
> Of course Thai is as equally capable of being precise and descriptive.
> It simply lacks the long tradition of academic/scientific writing or
> argument.
---------
I totally agree with Khun Gywn. As such person (who's Thai but has
been using English for a number of years), it's become difficult for me to
express myself eloquently in Thai, esp. in the academic & scholarly
context, mostly because I can't think of Thai words that precisely
describe what I want to say. Mostly, it's a matter of familiarity (and
laziness to think of/create possible Thai words). The observation that
Thai language lacks the long tradition of (western) academic and
scientific use of language is very correct.
-Busakorn S.
Gwyn Williams
> Date: Fri, 16 Feb 96 00:48:42 GMT
> Those whom I know who are fully fluent in both Thai and English seem to
> say that English is better for precise and detailed description or
> argument but that Thai is the better for the expression of emotion.
> However, with a single exception all of them have been Thai, so it's
> hardly a statiscally reliable sample.
Such people I know (ie., colleagues) would say that the problem with
expressing their thoughts in Thai is: 1. Thai lacks much of the
specialized vocab that has developed in English over the years; 2. they
did their advanced degrees in English, using English texts, and find it
difficult to express/translate concepts into Thai.
Of course Thai is as equally capable of being precise and descriptive.
It simply lacks the long tradition of academic/scientific writing or
argument.
Gwyn
Kamol Hengkietisak
On Tue, 20 Feb 1996, Ross Fenske wrote:
> As best as I can guess, "sia dai" refers to being in a state of sadness or
> feeling unlucky about something. I have also heard it used when a person
> feels some kind of sympathy for another.
>
> Ross
"sia dai" does not connote sadness but feeling unlucky is quite
correct. It conveys "unrequited fulfilment".
-kamol
Ekkehard Uthke
>
> As best as I can guess, "sia dai" refers to being in a state of sadness or
> feeling unlucky about something. I have also heard it used when a person
> feels some kind of sympathy for another.
>
> Ross
>
>
>
>
> > somc...@screw.ucsb.edu (Somchart Chantasiriwan) writes:
> > >>Thai word without English equivalent : Sia Dai
> >
> > Can you explain what sia dai means?
> >
> > - Dale
I would it translate as "What a pity". In German as "Schade!".
S Saisanit
>> feeling unlucky about something. I have also heard it used when a person
>> feels some kind of sympathy for another.
>>
>> Ross
> correct. It conveys "unrequited fulfilment".
What Ross described sounds like a meaning of the word /sia+jai-/, a
state of sadness rather than /sia+dai-/ which means the feeling of
a loss often associated with an object like a food gone bad or a
valuable glassware is broken.
--
Sittichoke.
<http://rcr-www.med.nyu.edu/~saisas01/saisanit.html>
your name
ka...@nwg.nectec.or.th says...
>
>"sia dai" is "sia dai".....
>
>On Tue, 20 Feb 1996, Ross Fenske wrote:
>
>> As best as I can guess, "sia dai" refers to being in a state of
sadness or
>> feeling unlucky about something. I have also heard it used when a
person
>> feels some kind of sympathy for another.
>>
>> Ross
> "sia dai" does not connote sadness but feeling unlucky is
quite
>correct. It conveys "unrequited fulfilment".
Kamol Hengkietisak
> Thai word without English equivalent : Sia Dai
> English word without Thai equivalent : irony
How about "Phi-Luek".
-kamol
Apatt
>How would you translate naam^ jai- into English?
I would translate it as "kindness" or "compassion", no doubt many SCT
regulars, more learned than I, would disagree. Until you hear from
them, just trust me :)
How would you translate it in German?
Ekkehard Uthke
>
> Ekkehard Uthke wrote:
> >How would you translate naam^ jai- into English?
>
> I would translate it as "kindness" or "compassion", no doubt many SCT
> regulars, more learned than I, would disagree. Until you hear from
> them, just trust me :)
>
> How would you translate it in German?
Kindness: "Guete"
Compassion: "Mitgefuehl"
The "ue" is actually an U-Umlaut.
naam^ jai- can be translated as "guetig" in German.
Other proposals?