Reading Response: (pg. 58-96)
This week's reading relates directly to a problem that arouse between my language partner and I during Monday's session. In the past I have relied heavily on my own non-precise system of transliteration so that I could speak and listen to Thai without memorizing the alphabet. It worked well for me in Thailand because I spent so much time in the classroom hearing the various sounds and words repeated over and over again. However, it is more difficult for me to put my finger directly on the sound I need to replicate or comprehend in a self-directed program. Therefore, I am going to use the suggestions in "How Language Works" and some reference to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) to create a more systematic approach to transliteration. This will incorporate diacritical marks, as mentioned in the text. Most importantly, I am going to emphasize the 5 major tones while learning new words. Since, in Thai, is in 50% of the world's languages, the tone has the ability to entirely change the meaning of the word, I am going to stick to a very strict system of numbering and practicing the 5 tones so I don't mistake them while learning new vocabulary.
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