which "k" to use ?????

[tilaceer]

Thai alphabet has 5 "k's" (that I have found, please no more !)..gaw gai, kaw kai, kaw kuat, kawa kwai and kaw kon.....When you are writing a word, how do you know which "K" to use ?? If the word is a non thai word (errm, lets say the name Kevin), again how do you determine which K to use ? Is it related to the three classes Thais have for their letters, and on that subject, could someone please provide an explanation of how that works ??????????

riian pah-sah thai yaak mahk

Thank you

T

[O123ok]

I suppose in theory, if it is originally an English word, the spelling is just a matter of opinion.Just as there are different variations in the English spelling of Thai names and roads signs.But saying that,common words and names such as Coke (which uses a Kor Kwai ) eventually become standardised.

Kevin is a pretty standard name,so I'm sure most but not all Thais would spell it the same way.

My name begins with a "T",so I too have a choice of letters to choose from.I chose Tor Tahan coz it looks like an "n" and is therefore easy to write.

[O123ok]

I forgot to mention that ¡ (gor gai) is more of a soft G than a K,so now you only have 4 to choose from.

Happy Pickings

[waterworm]

First of all, you should understand English sound system about ASPIRATION and UNASPIRATION sounds. The "aspirated sound" is always occured in the first syllable in English sound system. For example, the word' kind', 'can', 'car' (all are pronouced "k" sound); and "unaspirated sound", which can occured only when it goes after 's' sound. For example, the word 'sky' , 'scan' .scar.

The problem is in English Sound system, you don't have unaspriated sound that occur in the first syllable as it occurs in Thai. For example,

kin = to eat

klong = drum

So how do you know when you pronouce "k" as aspirated sound or "k" as unaspirated sound, you can notice when the words spelled with "kh" it refers to aspriated sound such as Khoa, Khor, khwa. However, you need to learn the Thai tone symbol as well, that's the most important to make you speak Thai as native speakers. If anymore question contact me at [email protected] Good luck

[Laurence]

:shock: Good it doesnt turn to be what I thought !

[robbie36]

:shock: Good it doesnt turn to be what I thought !

Just couldnt resist it. Could you?

[WiCKeDBiRD]

:shock: Good it doesnt turn to be what I thought !

Just couldnt resist it. Could you?

Ruu Maak ...... 8) :wink: