English What Now? is an ongoing series based around the humorous, head-scratching, or just plain amusing English found around Thailand observed and written by Teresa Derr.
Teresa Derr, 134 YinD
Have you ever been going along, maybe having a bad day, and suddenly you come across something that encourages you, right when you need it most? I’ve felt that about the English here. There is a word in Thai for encouragement/affirmation that I quite love: ให้กำลังใจ (hai-gam-lang-jai), which literally translates to give-heart-power/energy. Sometimes, the English I find seems to be aimed right at me and it gives my heart energy to keep going for another day. Here are some of my favorites:
This is one of my student’s backpacks. It’s possible he knows what it means, as he is one of my better students, but even if no one does, it encourages me every time I see it! It reminds me of the song by the Weeknd from Avatar: Way of Water, Nothing is Lost, which I’ve associated with a few dear friends in my life. So, every time I see this bag, I think of my support systems and how blessed I am to have friends that give me strength. I take a deep breath and go about the rest of my day just a bit happier.
This was given to my Mae for her retirement (she got at least four sets of glasses, and probably five or so special mugs like this.) A lot of the dish ware here seems to have English phrases, which does sort of baffle me, as I know no one in my family can read what they say, but again, I can’t help but be grateful for them, because I certainly enjoy the reminders from time to time!
Sometimes you have to create the English you want to see in the world. At a Life Skills Camp my อบต (aw-baw-taw, or subdistrict administrative office) hosted, I had the students paint affirmations about themselves, a friend, and a parent. Some of them turned out super well! Now when I see them, I’m reminded of how great my students and community members are. It’s also a reminder that when I give my students a list of words to choose from, they’re all going to pick the shortest ones, so I should plan my vocab lists better :P
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Regardless of where it comes from, I do love me some heart power. I hope you get some heart power from these as well! And, as always, if you see funny English around your site or travels and want to be featured, send it along!
Sticky Rice 