Comments on: Thai Literature Made Easy

By: dr.k.conor

dr.k.conor — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:35:18 +0000

Although Marcel has acquired some mastery of Thai, the language, it is impossible to obtain a mastery of Thai, the people.

I have found I don’t need another language to understand why a Thai will often cross in front of me only to get on the “correct” side of the sidewalk while passing me.

I have also found no use for a country that claims “a land of laws” where they do not have the most basic for child protection.

As for Monsieur Marcel’s well known “fun” times with Thai immigration, just switch to French.

By: marcel barang

marcel barang — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:27:03 +0000

Right, RH. My mistake, with apologies to both, whoever David Laird is.

By: RH

RH — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 12:33:53 +0000

Thanks for the interview, but I believe the translator of High Banks, Heavy Logs is Richard C. Lair, not David Laird.

By: Reak

Reak — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:46:32 +0000

I’ve been coming to Thailand for about three years, I went to school for a period of four months, monday to friday for an hour each day to learn speaking Thai. Right now I can pretty much manage my way around, get stuff done and express myself. Of course it’s not enough to enter the business world, but at least you can manage your way around in a big Asian jungle like Bangkok.

By: BangkokDan

BangkokDan — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:24:04 +0000

Thanks for the kind words Cat. I gather Thai literature/classics are much more formal/descriptive than their Occidental equivalents. Not really my turf, but Marcel offers some very promising works. Will definitely have to read The White Shadow and the again and again mentioned High Banks Heavy Logs. BangkokDan

By: Catherine

Catherine — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:00:29 +0000

Another excellent interview Dan (and thank you kindly for the mention).

To get the small details of Thailand’s past, I am now reading books written by Thais (the Four Reigns being one). And, thanks to Marcel’s Thai Fiction site, I have even more material to peruse.

As a Thai language learner, Marcel’s “word-by-word” approach to translating Thai is of interest to me. For a student of Thai, the method is certainly more useful than translations which loosely wave in the direction of the story.

By: Tweets that mention Thai Literature Made Easy -- Topsy.com

Tweets that mention Thai Literature Made Easy -- Topsy.com — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:02:59 +0000

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