Scene: Alison walks into the coffee room at school and is greeted by her Thai teachers. Some conversation ensues in Thai. Alison idly busies herself making a cup of coffee and answers questions about what she had for lunch, where she went, who was there etc. After a while Alison starts to get a bit lost....it deserves a mention here that unless Alison concentrates REALLY hard, she does not notice the difference between the words 'tengaan' (marry) and 'thamngaan' (work)...this is where the problem began...
Teacher Wan: Alison, would you like to marry an old person?
Alison (clearly hearing something else): Yes
Wan (laughing): really? You would like to marry an old person?
Alison: Yes
Other teachers (also laughing): old person?
Alison: (slightly suspiciously this time):...yes?
More laughter.
The Conversation switches to English.
Alison: What? What did I say?
Teachers: You will marry an old person!
Alison: What!? No, you asked me if I like working with old people!!
More laughter, Alison joins in...then makes a swift exit with her coffee.
2 comments:
Did she ask you that question on purpose? Sounds like a set-up to me...
That is a collection of 'Engrish' gems. Thanks for sharing.
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