aanon

Yep, looks like 16 million colours (16 ล้านสี) to me.

Rikker, great post offering lots of insights. When can we expect a column from you in an English-language daily?

1. What level are you at?
Relatively fluent, able to interpret in most situations (not simultaneous), working translator (into English), doing some ongoing study.

2. Can you read and write Thai?
Yes (the reality, of course, is more nuanced than a 'yes' or 'no' answer allows)

3. How long have you been learning for?
17 years

4. How did you learn?
Total immersion 10 months. Self-study and contact with Thais (overseas) since. This year, commenced some personalised study with University instructor.

5. What other languages could you speak before Thai?
Native language (English) only.

In response to your worries, my view is that Thai is not inherently harder than, say, Mandarin. The overall grammar, tonal aspects and so on are very similar. If you then consider the huge burden of learning the Chinese writing system, I think the end result is that Thai is a little easier. I lived in Northeast China for a similar time (about 10 months) and tried about as hard to learn Mandarin as I had Thai. I didn't get quite as far in the same time, despite having the benefit of having already learned another tonal Asian language. In my own case I would put any differences in rate of aquisition down to the writing system, my level of immersion and difference in age (about 6 years older).

From what you've written, I think you already realise that level of immersion is your main determinant of progress. Age may or may not also be a factor.

If it would truly mean as much to you as you have indicated to learn Thai, my advice is to do whatever it takes to avoid English for 6-12 months, at least to the greatest extent possible in your situation. Ideally, pair this period of immersion with some formal instruction. Given your apparent facility for language learning in general, I'm confident you will see great improvement. If you can arrange "total immersion", there is no reason why you should not be getting by entirely in Thai after 6 months or so. Of course, there will still be plenty of learning left to do after that...

All the best.

aanon, on 2010-11-13 12:45:39, said:

In response to a query from a fellow student here, I would like to change my earlier translation and say that I find the tone of ตายให้ตาย to be more like "Bring it on!" than a calm "So be it." It contains more bravado than fatalism. That is my sense, anyway.

construction: X ให้ X
type of word(s): X is a verb or adjective
meaning: If X, so be it.
example: 1) ตายให้ตาย 2) พังให้พัง
translation: 1) If I (am about to) die...well, so be it. 2) If it breaks, never mind.