Study Thai Language

Study Thai Language In 3 Important Steps...

1. Memorize the Thai characters set

There are 44 Consonants in Thai. Many of them are rarely used; two of them considered obsolete and are not listed. (see Special Characters under Tone.)

These 44 consonants create 21 different sounds, and are divided by Class: High, Middle, and Low.

Although memorizing the class of each consonant is crucial , remember that these classes are only the first step in determining tone.

Often a syllable with a High Class consonant will have a Low Tone. Remember also that a syllable can have more than one consonant, and that these consonants can be in the form of a beginning and ending consonant (In English we do it without much thought... ie. pat -- 'p' is in the initial syllable position; tap -- 'p' is in the final syllable position; 'apt' -- 'p' is in the medial position).

Study Thai Language - Interactive Version 2.

They can also be grouped in sounds much like the consonants 'br' found in the word 'brat'.

Study Thai language Shortcut:

There are 10 High Class, 9 Middle Class, and 23 Low Class Consonants.

As you memorize the consonants, remember both the sound of the character in its initial and final syllable positions ... and then be sure to remember its Class.

This will help significantly in your understanding of Thai Tone. Memorize the important characters in both the High and Middle Class consonants ... everything else is Low Class.

Use Phonetic systems as a study aid, but don't sell yourself short.

Why study a Phonetic system to understand an alphabet, when studying that character set is easy enough.

2. Memorize the Vowels set

There are 28 traditional vowels. Vowels appear in front of, below, above, and in combination will appear surrounding a consonant.

These vowels and vowel combinations will always appear in the same position relative to the consonant. The sound of the vowel will always follow that of the consonant.

Vowels are divided by the length of their sound, long and short.

Study Thai language - Remember that the Class of a consonant (High, Middle, Low) has no relationship to the sound of a syllable.

This is not so with vowels. A Short vowel is normally 'shorter' in sound than its longer counterpart. Study the Short vowels first. The pattern is easy to remember and everything else is Long.

3. Once you've memorized the character set, study the system which governs Tones

It will take some memorization, but it will certainly be worth the effort. As you study the Tone formula, put consonants and vowels together to form syllables.

Combine syllables to form words, words to form sentences, and you will find yourself well prepared to study Thai language and read Thai.

Consonants (clickable Sound Files)

• High Class Consonants
• Middle Class Consonants
• Low Class 1 Consonants
• Low Class 2 Consonants

Vowels (clickable Sound Files)

• Traditional Vowels 1
• Traditional Vowels 2
• Traditional Vowels 3
• Traditional Vowels 4
• Traditional Vowels 5

Thai Characters Tones

• Tones Formula
• Understanding Tones
• Studying Thai In 3 Important Steps

Screen shots of Thai Interactive

• Character Module
• Course Module

CD designed for Windows

Thai Interactive Version 2: Out of Stock

Whether you plan your first visit, revisit, or even plan to work in this country, get prepared to ensure a enjoyable good time in this Land of Smiles, study Thai language with Thai Interactive Version 2. Get your copy now.