Course Description

Throughout this course, students will learn how to communicate in Thai language as they develop their understanding towards Thai culture. The course will provide the environment where students will learn and practice basic skills of listening, speaking, writing, and critical thinking through the content relating to Thai culture in various aspects.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Chui Chai Prahm

-video for the final project-

Chui Chai Prahm is a Thai classical court dance, performed as an introductory play to show sedate motions of a young Brahmin priest, who is Narayana God-incarnate, in one of the most popular scenes from Ramakien story.

Ramakien is a Thai version of the ancient India’s classic epic, Ramayana. The story is about Rama, who brought an army to bring back his kidnapped bride, Sita. In this particular scene where Chui Chai Prahm dance is performed, Ganesha tried to stop Parashurama, an avatar of Vishnu, when trying to visit his parents, Shiva and Uma, who were sleeping. Ganesha and Parashurama then got into a fight, where Ganesha lost one of his tusks. When Uma knew of the incident, she was so angry that she cursed Parashurama. Wanting to break the curse, Parashurama prayed to Narayana, who then transformed into a young Brahmin priest to dance before Uma. Uma was very pleased with the dance that she dispelled the curse as Narayana asked.

The dance that Narayana performed in front of Uma is known as Chui Chai Prahm or Chui Chai of a Brahmin. Chui chai itself means “transformation” while Prham means “Brahmin”. Therefore, this dance is about the transformation of a divine into a young Brahmin, who was so beautiful that could make a god forgive the person who hurt her son.





Chui Chai Prahm
Lyrics written by King Rama VI
(rough translation by Kalyakorn Naksompop)

Oh Chui Chai
The way you dance and the way you look
So elegant and so fine
More than a person could be
Those two eyes when glancing
How splendid they could be

Oh beauty

The more I look at you
The more amusing it be
Your hands and the way you move
So delicate and so captivating
As graceful as a divine

Admirable

Admirable you Brahmin
Lovely and flawless
So radiant as if you’re golden
The more I look at you
The more admiring you be

Pretty

Pretty young man
The way you smile
So innocent and so lively
Like a blooming flower
Enchanting and unforgettable


.........................................................................
Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mythological_anecdotes_of_Ganesha
http://www.pklifework.com/Articles%20Pages/02%20ChuiChaiArticle.htmlhttp://www.thaidances.com/picture&data/3_1.asp
http://www.villagevoice.com/2010-05-25/dance/summer-guide-pichet-klunchun-is-the-bangkok-rebel/
http://www.villagevoice.com/2010-07-13/dance/pichet-klunchun-and-shantala-shivalingappa-embrace-their-traditions-with-open-eyes/

Sunday, December 26, 2010

PORTFOLIO

General:
The student portfolio is a collection of student’s assignments in this course. It will show the development of student’s skills in Thai communication as well as the growth of student’s understanding in Thai culture.


Assessment:
The portfolio will account for 25% of their midterm examination, or 10% of student’s final grade in the course.


Due Date: Jan 20, 2011 (not finalized)


Requirements:

1) Table of Content

2) A REFLECTION WRITING on “What have you learned throughout this course?”

3) Must include all assignments and projects you have done throughout the course
- For projects those are not written assignments, use photos with short description to explain your work.
- Assignments can be arranged in any orders, but must be stated clearly on top of the page of what assignment or project it is.

4) Citations and references, if use any

Assignments:
1. At least 10 journal entries
2. Thai alphabets
3. Food: 7 dishes
4. Map & Direction
5. Traveling Group Project
6. Family Tree
7. Family Birthday
8. Festival Group Project
9. Thai Culture Group Project
10. One-Day-Diary (Midterm)
11. Final Project


Grade Breakdown:
The student’s grade (out of a possible 10-point total) will be broken down as follows-

Reflection Writing (2)
- quality of the writing
- sufficient coverage of the topic
- shows applications of ideas presented

Execution (4)
- information is arranged and presented thoughtfully and understandably
- shows neatness
- interesting and creative
- evidence of hard work

Completion of Requirements (4)
- table of content
- reflection writing
- at least 10 journal entries
- midterm and final projects
- other assignments as listed above

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Final Project

General:
The student final project is to be an interactive enquiry into student’s ability to use Thai language as well as to adapt Thai culture into new contemporary product. Students will be given a piece of traditional Thai music, art, or play to be used as an inspiration for their final product. The final product must corporate Thai language in one way or another. It doesn't have to be the main focus, but it has to appear in the work.

Assessment:
This project will account for 75% of their final examination score or 30% (20 on the product and 10 on the presentation) of student’s final grade in the course.

Due Date: Jan 20, 2011 (not finalized)

Grade Breakdown:
The student’s grade (out of a possible 30-point total) will be broken down as follows

Presentation (10)
- Presentation is clear, organized, and well thought out (3)
- Innovative approach to presenting the product (3)
- Correct usage of Thai language (2)
- Understand and answer the questions correctly (2)

The Product (20)
- Shows evidence of hard work (5)
- Correct and appropriate use of Thai language (5)
- Innovation and creativity (4)
- Meets the requirement (3)
- Shows applications of ideas presented (3)



Video for the Final Project

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Final Consonants

What is final consonant?

To spell a word, you need the first consonant to produce the first sound of the word and a vowel. Some words have a final consonant to create the sound in the end.

For example,


In Thai language, there are only 8 sounds of final consonant:

- produce G/K/C/CK
จาก (jàak)

- produce D sound
จาด (jàad)

- produce B sound
จาบ (jàab)

- produce NG/NK sound
จาง (jaang)

- produce N sound
จาน (jaan)

- produce M sound
จาม (jaam)

- produce Y
จาย (jaaey)

- produce W sound
จาว (jaow)



VOWELS

Some vowels change form when spelled with final consonant

Vowel อะ
วะ + น
= วัน

Vowel เอะ
เจะ + บ
= เจ็บ

Vowel โอะ
โปะ + น
= ปน

Vowel อือ
ปือ + น
= ปืน

Vowel เออ

เดอ + น
= เดิน

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Midterm Project

GENERAL

The student midterm project is to be an interactive enquiry into student’s comprehension of basic skills in communication in Thai language. Students will create a “One-Day Diary” comic strip about a day in their life. The comic strip must include illustrations and dialogues related to following topics:

1. Meeting new people

2. Ordering food

3. Traveling

4. Giving directions


ASSESSMENT

The “One-Day Diary” comic strip project will account for 50% of their midterm examination or 10% of student’s final grade in the course. The content of their project will determine questions in their oral examination, which will account for another 50% in the midterm examination.


DUE DATE: Nov 25, 2010


GRADE BREAKDOWN

The student’s grade (out of a possible 10-point total) will be broken down as follows:


Content (4)

- sufficient coverage of what is required

- relevant to course content

- story that flows and that is clear

Script/Dialogue (3)

- practical and relevant to the story

- shows applications of ideas presented

- correct Thai usage

Presentation (3)

- shows neatness

- illustrations relate to the scripts/dialogues

- interesting and creative

- evidence of hard work



SAMPLE

ทิศทาง (Tid Taang) : Directions

บน (bon)
on, above

ล่าง (kâang lâang)
below

ใต้ (tâi)
under, beneath

ซ้าย (sái)
left

ขวา (kwǎa)
right

หน้า (nâa)
front

หลัง (lǎng)
back

ใน (nai)
in, interior

นอก (nôrk)
outside, exterior



CONVERSATION

ไป (pai) + ไหน (nǎi)
to go + where

อยู่ (yùu) + ไหน (nǎi)
to be, to stay + where

ที่ (têe) + ไหน (nǎi)
at + where

ไป (pai) + ยังไง (yangai)
to go + how


For example,

กินที่ไหน (kin têe nǎi)
Where to eat?

When answer, you cut the word ไหน (nǎi) out. Repeat กินที่ (kin têe) and follow by the name of the place.
กินที่บ้าน (kin têe bâan)
Eat at home


เขาอยู่ที่ไหน (khǎo yùu têe nǎi)
Where is he/she at?

When answer, you can simply say the name of the place or say...
อยู่ข้าง (yùu kâang) + บน (bon) / ล่าง (lâang) / etc.
to be, at + upstairs / downstairs / etc.


ไปห้องน้ำยังไง (pai hông nám yang ngai)
How to go to restroom?

When answer, just simply say the direction.
ไปข้าง (pai kâang) + directions
to go


Many times, you have to use more action phrases:


For example,


How to tell directions to taxi


Note:
When you want the taxi to make a U-Turn, you can just use the word U-Turn.


You can use the word "แล้วก็" (láew gôr), which means "then" to connect the phrases.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

อาหาร (aa-hǎan) : FOOD

5 Tones in Thai Language

อา
(sa-man)
aah

อ่า
mái àke (low tone)
àah

อ้า
mái dtoh (falling tone)
âah

อ๊า
mái dtree (high tone)
áah

อ๋า
mái jàd dtà wa (rising tone)
ǎah



Conversation: อาหาร (aa-hǎan) - FOOD

ไก่ (gài)
chicken

ปลา (plaa)
fish

หมู (mǒo)
pork, pig

เนื้อ (neáu)
beef, meat

กุ้ง (gôong)
shrimp, prawn

หอย
(hǒy)
clam

ผัก (pàk)
vegetable

น้ำ (nám)
water


Questions & Answers

....ไหม (mái)
Yes or no?


หิว (hěw)
hungry

กิน (kin)
to eat

เผ็ด (pèd)
spicy

อร่อย (aròi)
delicious, tasty

ชอบ (chôb)
to like


....อะไร (a-rai)
What?


สั่ง (sàng)
To order

กิน (kin)
To eat


...ไหน (nǎi)
Where?


กินที่... (kin têe)
To eat at..


Often in restaurants, waiters would ask

รับอะไรดีคะ/ครับ (rúb arai dee ká/krúb)
What would you like to eat?

This is how you answer..
ขอ...menu & number...ที่คะ/ครับ (khǒr ...menu & number... ká/krúb)
I would like __ plate(s) of _____ please.



Thai Favorite Menu

ผัดไทย (pàd tai)
stir-fried rice noodle with eggs in fish sauce and tamarind sauce
Note: ผัด (pàd) = to fry

ต้มยำกุ้ง (tôm yum gôong)

spicy lemongrass soup with shrimp
Note: ต้ม (tôm) = to boil

หมูย่าง (mǒo yâng)
roasted pork
Note: ย่าง (yâng) = to roast, to grill

ทอดมันกุ้ง (tôd man gôong)
crispy shrimp cake
Note: ทอด (tôd) = deep fry

ข้าวผัด (khâo pàd)
fried rice
Note: ข้าว (khâo) = rice
We also use the word ข้าว (khâo) when referring to a meal, breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

ผัดกระเพรา (pàd grà praow)
meat fried with basil

Course Objectives

After the students have completed the course learning activities, the students should be able to:

1. Develop basic communication skills in Thai as well as the critical thinking ability.
2. Learn about Thai culture.
3. Able to account what is learned in class to create new meaningful things.
3. Know how to adapt cultural context into contemporary world.