Chronicles of an Exchange Student’s Odyssey in Thailand — 3#Thai Language&Basketball
How mispronounced Thai vowels can make “May I fart?” instead of “I’m sorry;” New challenges for the French girl in Thailand
Hello, my friend! I’m excited to share some captivating events with you today. I’ll share a delightful encounter with the French exchange student named Wanida on the basketball court, where language and culture intertwine in unexpected ways. Let’s dive into this captivating tale of cross-cultural connections and learning adventures! Ready?
Let’s dive in!
Language Barrier and Basketball
As I walked across the bustling school courtyard toward the basketball court, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and curiosity. Our school had just welcomed Wanida, and today was the third time I would be interacting with her. As an English teacher, I had the privilege of assisting her with her language skills, and I was genuinely eager to get to know her better.
Upon reaching the basketball court, I spotted a group of teachers, and in their midst was Wanida with a mane of chestnut hair that seemed to catch the sunlight. She was attempting to dribble the basketball. Her movements were a bit awkward and uncertain, but she was doing her best.
I approached her with a warm smile, “Hello, how are you today?”
“Hello, I’m hot!” she replied with a charming French accent, her cheeks turning slightly pink.
“Yeah, it’s always hot in Thailand. I see you’re trying your hand at basketball,” I said, gesturing toward the court. “How is your time here in our school? Do you like it?”
“Yes, I like it a lot. It’s very different from France, but I’m excited to learn new things and meet new people. However, the Thai language is difficult for now.”
I could tell she was adjusting well to this new environment, and I was pleased to see her making an effort to immerse herself in Thai culture. As we stood there on the basketball court, engrossed in conversation, another teacher joined us. It was teacher Noi, the PE teacher known for her excellent command of English. She greeted us with a warm smile and a nod of recognition.
Then, teacher Noi turned to the French girl, “You should ask Alex about learning Thai because he learned from the book and knows better about Thai tones and nuances. We are native speakers, learned our language naturally, and sometimes we are surprised by what Alex tells us about our language.”
The girl exclaimed, “Great! I’m still getting used to everything here. I know that there are different tones for ‘Kha’, right?”
I nodded. She pleasantly surprised me by showing that she knew how to tell whether to use the high or low tone for ‘Kha.’ “You are right! Thai tones and the nasal sound ง (ngoo) ‘Snake’ are very challenging.”
“Yes, I realized it. I hope I don’t say anything bad because of mispronunciation.”
We all chuckled, forming an instant connection over the shared experience of adjusting to new cultures. It was fascinating to see how language could bridge gaps and create bonds between people from different corners of the world.
As we continued chatting, the conversation flowed effortlessly. The exchange student talked about her time in Thailand so far, sharing her impressions of the country, its people, and the cultural nuances she had encountered. Teacher Noi shared stories of her experiences of learning English and teaching Thai to foreigners.
I chimed in with anecdotes from my own life about the Thai language. “You should know that the Thai language has 5 different tones. Besides, there are long and short sounds that make a huge difference altogether with the tones. For example, ‘Kho Toooht’ means ‘I’m sorry’ while ‘Kho Toht’ means ‘May I fart?’
Wanida and Noi started chuckling at my example. Although in real life, no one says ‘Kho Toht’ in the meaning of ‘May I fart?’, technically, I gave the right example, which can be translated as I said.
It felt like a humorous mini-international exchange right there on the basketball court. After a while, Wanida put the basketball aside, and we lost in conversation. It was remarkable to witness her enthusiasm and openness despite the challenges of being in a foreign environment.
The exchange student’s journey was beginning, and I was excited to be a part of it, guiding her through the intricacies of the English language and watching her blossom in this new chapter of her life.
Instead of conclusion
Observing from the sidelines, I find myself marveling at the fortunate opportunity this girl is embraced by. When I was her age, the very concept of schoolchildren embarking on educational journeys was foreign to me. Beyond that, I recognize the tranquility her parents must feel, knowing she’s enveloped in an environment of care and safeguarding.
Consider the context; our town is an intimate one, where familiarity permeates. Police officers often share spousal ties with our female teachers or hold roles as parents to our students. This interconnection creates a sense of unity and an understanding of the concern that distant parents in France bear. So, the care given to the student goes beyond what it looks like on the surface.
All teachers agree that parents care most about their children. So, we treat Victoire with the same care we’d want for our own children, regardless of where they live or what culture they’re from.
What goes around — comes around…
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