Replacing I with name

[Westbam]

My ladyfriend always says her name instead of "I", e.g "Lek go toilet" instead of "I go toilet". At first I thought she was just trying to be overly clear because I don't speak Thai and she doesn't speak English but she does it all the time, even when she speak to Thais. I asked a Thai friend about it and she said it was very polite to say ones name instead of I, however, I have never heard anyone else doing it. Just curious if any of you guys know anything about it.

[chuckwoww]

Very common practice among Thais. Actually you know you're getting somewhere when they do it to you.

[samak]

Thais use generally much less pronouns in their language as we do in western languages.

they either use names (mostly nick names or shortened first names) or very often also a description based on age and social position like:

phee (older)

nong (younger)

noo (literally "mouse", for young kids)

yai (lit "grandmother, for older ladies)

lung, paa (lit "uncle", "aunt" for mid aged persons)

[khunsanuk]

Hi,

 

Agree with CW, very common although mainly for women. Men doing this is not common and considered a bit awkward, although it does happen.

 

Sanuk!

 

[Westbam]

Thanks for clearing that up. Now I know she's not ting tong or anything

[Pescator]

I asked a Thai friend about it and she said it was very polite to say ones name instead of I

 

I`d say it suggests an intimacy rather than necessarily politeness as I doubt she would use her name as a pronoun when referring to herself in a conversation with a total stranger.

 

[Hugh_Hoy]

I've only encountered one Thai using her first name. A bargirl used it consistently in place of "I". She also used "pee" in referring to a friend of mine...a former bargirl who was a few years older than her. (Pee Noi).

 

HH

[..]

I find using their name vs a pronoun pretty common with the middle class Thai females that I know. My experience is same as KS' in that I can't recall any men ever doing it. To the OP, I'm not sure if it is considered extremely polite, tho' *certainly* not impolite, but more familiar (maybe depends upon the circles you run in ). To me, it is something you'd use amongst friends. I guess Snaky already said that and he knows more than me.

 

Hugh, pee (in font of the name, as in pee Hugh) is the most common form of address amongst peers in LoS IME. I'll also use pee (no name) with service industry people *much* older than me, or at a senior level, especially if I need a favour or something unusual. Considered polite.

 

I use nong (just that, no name) pretty much only for getting the attention of service staff (male or female) and the occasional teenager I do not know. But for those I am acquainted with, and especially those I need to be very polite to, e.g., kids of friends or biz associates, I use nong as a prefix to their name (e.g., nong Noi). All these usages are considered polite.

 

I use noo (no name) for a child with which I am familiar. I use luk for a child stranger; or if lightly chastising a familiar child (e.g., Tam arai, luk?). Once again, polite.

 

Cheers,

SD

[Pescator]

Actually, the topic of a guy using his own name when referring to himself has been discussed before: http://www.thai360.com/fbb/showtopic.php?tid/520061/

 

I still find it ridiculous and gay, but I shall leave that ruling to the professionals :thumbup: , especially when spoken by a foreigner. Just too much thai wannabe in my opinion.

 

Cheers

HN

 

[..]

OK. But Snaky, did I do good for the rest? (mainly for the benefit for the rest of our readers...)

 

Cheers,

SD