Learning Thai: Baby Steps

I must admit, when I first learned I would intern in Thailand I had mixed emotions. On the one hand, I was excited to eat the famous food and live in a metropolis. On the other hand, I had already worked really hard to learn Russian and Chinese--isn't that enough?

My first couple days in Thailand made me realize that it wasn't enough: I needed to learn Thai. Once I learned Mandarin I would often chuckle to myself when I met other Americans that didn't know ANY Chinese. "Come on" I would think to myself, "learning basic Chinese isnt' that hard." Now that I am in Thailand, the roles are switched. I came to Thailand knowing only how to say hello. Feeling proud that I had learned "thank you" (Khop khun cup) I asked for directions (in English) from a Thai lady yesterday, realizing afterwards that I had greeted her with "thank you" and said "hello" after she pointed me in the right direction. I could only laugh at myself when I realized how stupid I must sound.

Today, however, I decided to take one baby step at a time. Rather than hope to become fluent quickly (a ridiculously mistake which missionaries make all the time) I planned to simply learn and master one phrase at a time. After some coaching from my Dad the night before, I sat in the subway and repeated a couple phrases over and over. I'm sure the Thais around me must have thought I was crazy as I mumbled underneath my breath Thai phrases for "how are you doing" and "what is this street's name?" After 20 minutes of repetition, I felt ready to test it out on a real subject: a woman at a bus stop.

I walked up to the woman confidently and said in slow but clear Thai "Khaw Toad cup, thanonii chuuh arahi cup" (excuse me, what is this street called). Her puzzled look and pause was a language learner's worst nightmare: she was probably in shock as I butchered her language. Just as I was about to repeat the phrase--maybe she will understand me the second time?--the lady replied. "Yahon Photin" That was the name of the street! I realized. She understhood what I was saying! I was beaming as I walked away. Although learning a new language is trying, I had forgotten the satisfaction that comes from the small triumphs with those first few phrases.