absolutelyBangkok archive · Being farang
Originally published Feb. 7, 2009
There’s an end to your blindness in the Land of the Free. Without much fanfare, Google Translate quietly rolled out translation to/from Thai and six other languages. That’s right, you’re now able to read Thai.
Well, basic Thai. Gave it a quick try. You won’t win a Pulitzer Prize with Google Translate. But you’re able to basically understand headlines of Thai newspapers — and may even impress your Thai lover.
Translations sound more like a bargirl’s amazing English staccato. But hey, at least you’re communicating in writing. No more secrets and hidden agendas, Google Translate makes you a bit more Thai.
Below some samples — yes, unfortunately as an inline image. This site is WordPress-based. And can you believe it, WordPress doesn’t recognize Thai script. It’s an issue I struggle with since the beginning. Hopefully a future version will address the problem.
So no point in posting Thai script comments. All you’d see is ???????. Anyway, better surprise someone. Why not writing a first Thai letter. Here we go:
Thanks for the nod Adam.
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