Stu Jay Raj: The Inside Story of Thai Vowels [Season 3, Episode 8]

Key links for this show: StuJay.com


Hey, do you know the difference between ใ and ไ? What about
เ and แ? Well, we sort of do, but you know who
really does? This week's guest, Stu Jay
Raj.


What started as a simple question from Greg to Stu about
Thai vowels gets turned around as Stu - noted linguist, polyglot,
and all around swell dude - starts asking questions of Greg,
slowly revealing a method of thinking about Thai vowels that
isn't so obvious. Thai language learners will be mouthing along
with Stu as he delves into the very DNA of the base sounds that
make up most Thai vowel combinations. Not only that, you'll begin
to understand the very important connection in the Thai language
between what a vowel sounds like, and the position your mouth,
throat, and tongue need to be in to arrive at the correct
sound.


Also, did you know that the Thai language is abugida? We
didn't even know that word existed until this show, but Stu gives
us a crash course on what it means.


In Love, Loathe, or Leave, Ed - Mr. Taxi himself - asks
Greg what he thinks of one of the oldest tricks in the book for
taxi drivers to squeeze a bit of extra money from their
fares...and whether or not it's always a scam, or sometimes just
a bit of bad luck.


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