Response to Reading (pg. 1-57)
It was interesting to think about the more broad concept of communication rather than a narrow concept of language as verbal communication. The reading discussed numerous ways that people communicate non verbally (i.e. body language, handshake, body posture, an eyebrow flash etc.). The differences in non verbal communication between Thai people and people from the US really helps to highlight many of the cultural differences. For example, the wai is a bow that Thai people use in place of a handshake. The length and extent of the bow depends on the relation of the two people in the interaction and their respective places in society with regard to age, job, etc. There are many forms of non verbal communication embedded in a simple wai that need to be accounted for. It was also interesting to read about the various ways by which we create sounds with our larynx, pharynx, lips, jaw and tongue. The fact that many muscles are responsible for creating sounds unique to different languages provides me with insight into why it is much more difficult to create certain sounds in Thai that a native speaker is so accustomed to making with ease. Thai is a tonal language. There are five tones that can change the meaning of a word. For example, the word "Cow" can be used to mean rice, him/her, or knee depending on which tone is used. It is often times very difficult for me to replicate the necessary tone because my muscles are not accustomed to making that sound. This also applies to listening. It is very difficult for me to listen effectively because it takes a while to process what is being said and think about the words as if I were saying them. As a result, I have to often ask for repetition and sound out the sentences to myself.
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