Cross-Cultural name game turns diamonds into dung

Some of Thailand's most auspicious monikers carry entirely different connotations when spoken by Westerners

Published: 19/02/2012 at 03:21 AM
Newspaper section: Brunch

I once had a student who was preparing for a trip to Australia. He was a 30-year-old engineer from Chiang Mai who'd won a three-month scholarship to Melbourne. His English wasn't great but he was a fast learner and extremely diligent. Anyway, it wasn't his English that bothered me.

It was the way he spelt his name: Turdsack.

Contrary to popular opinion, I don't immediately jump up and slap my knee and look to the heavens as I guffaw over a name worthy of an Asian bus conductor out of a Carry On movie.

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About the author

: Writer: Andrew Biggs; Position: Writer

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geoffo
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Discussion 4 : 25/02/2012 at 05:46 PM4
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"rooting", as Andrew can explain,in Australia means having vigorous sex whereas in America it means giving vigorous support hence the snigger from Aussies when Yanks say "I am going to root for him".

I hired a young girl once who spelled her surname "Chuanpiss", we adjusted it over time to "Chuanpit"
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GenetheMachine
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Discussion 3 : 22/02/2012 at 02:41 AM3
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Thank you for explaining some cultural differences in a most amusing way. Similarly, in the United Kingdom "pissed" means drunk. In America it means very angry.
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cassie
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Discussion 2 : 19/02/2012 at 03:44 PM2
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That is one of the funniest things I've ever read on the Bangkok Post. And so beautifully written!!

Well done!
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anna
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Discussion 1 : 19/02/2012 at 11:50 AM1
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You did it again, Mr. Biggs. I'm in stiches with laughter while reading your article. It's so true the way Thai name is spelled into English. Fortunately, mine is from Indian Sansakrit language, so the transliterate into English language doesn't have a rude or funny meaning.
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Cross-Cultural name game turns diamonds into dung | Bangkok Post: lifestyle