ศาลาชุมนุม

[David and Bui]

For those of you who are interested in local Thai dialects, see the following from the Phuket Gazette:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/411 ... t-dialect/

One learning for me:

"The Phuket dialect is unique. Compared with other versions of southern Thai, it tends to be slower and more flowing than the rapid-fire varieties found in other parts of the region. It might be considered “cute” or even somewhat effeminate by other southerners."

The dialect sure sounds fast to me!

[Rick Bradford]

Thanks for the link; that was interesting. Any hint as to the tones on words like 'sueng''?

I guess it is always a pity when a unique dialect dies out, but that trend is inevitable with modern mobility and communication technology, plus the socio-economic imperative of mastering the 'standard' language.

I was in Chumphon last week with a native central Thai speaker, who quickly progressed from saying: "I can understand a little of what they're saying" to "I pretty much understand it."

I guess Southern Thai to a native speaker is a bit like the Glaswegian dialect sounds to a Londoner -- initially, it sounds totally alien, but as your ear attunes and you realise they are speaking English, comprehension improves rapidly.

Needless to say, I could hardly understand a word the Chumpon people were saying......

[David and Bui]

The way I hear the word for "ice" is "ซึ้ง", that is, with a เสียงตีร. However, this high tone to my ears differs somewhat from the Bangkok dialect high tone.