MooNoi Posted October 6, 2007 Report Share Posted October 6, 2007 When we write this term in English, if it supposed to be a direct phonetic translation, shouldn't it be written sanook rather than sanuk?? Writing is as "sanuk" makes it sound like it rhymes with "duck" or "luck". I've always written it as sanook, but it seems most people write it as sanuk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neo Posted October 6, 2007 Report Share Posted October 6, 2007 There are many different transliteration schemes, not just one. They tend to be a lazy man's out that basically say when you see thai character so and so, then translate it directly to english character so and so. That's why you get those crazy things like Suvarnabhumi airport that sounds absolutely nothing like that, or Sawasdee magazine from Thai airways even though there is no second "s" sound. While it makes an easy job for the translator, the net result is the audience for the translation (i.e. those who can't read thai) absolutely butcher the words which are totally incomprehensible. I think it makes the most sense to spell each word so that the casual reader has the best chance of pronouncing it right. In this case there is hardly an "a" sound there so why not go the extra mile and spell it sunook? That ought to easily give the best chance of being understood when a newbie utters it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MooNoi Posted October 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2007 Good explanation, Neo! :thumbup: Does that mean KS has to change his name now to Khun Sunook? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Munchmaster Posted October 6, 2007 Report Share Posted October 6, 2007 Glad you cleared that one up Moo, it's been bothering me for years. :smirk: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted October 6, 2007 Report Share Posted October 6, 2007 Good explanation, Neo!:thumbup: Does that mean KS has to change his name now to Khun Sunook? Nope. Koon Sunook. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khunsanuk Posted October 7, 2007 Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 Hi, Actually, if I were to spell it using my native language it would be: Koen Saanoek Sanuk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weird Posted October 7, 2007 Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 wouldn't it have to be written as 'sanuck' to make it sound like 'luck' or 'duck' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTO Posted October 7, 2007 Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 So how about Piyabutra? Pronounced Piyabut, but in written Thai has a silent ending they TRANSLATE into English! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MooNoi Posted October 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 Same as Thaksin Shinawat(ra). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samak Posted October 7, 2007 Report Share Posted October 7, 2007 ...and Singha... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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