Translators - Electronic > Translation by Language > Minor Languages > Laotian

People in the northeastern part of Thailand (an area called Isan) also speak Laotian. Thai and Laotian are similar. Both descend from the Tai languages spoken in northern Vietnam and southern China. The Laotian language has many dialects, but they are close enough in nearly all cases not to cause undue difficulty in communication.

Why Laos looms large in public memory

Baby boomers in the USA are very aware of Laos, as it was constantly in the news in 1970 as news reports surfaced that US President Richard M. Nixon had secretly and illegally ordered B-52s to drop bombs on Laos and Cambodia. Most shocking perhaps was the fact he'd been engaged in those crimes for over a year (18 March 1969 to 26 May 1970).

Of course, the Vietnam War itself was illegal and of no vital interest to the United States. So a public that was already weary of this senseless, pointless, costly, ill-conceived, poorly-executed war found yet another reason to feel betrayed and deceived. And that's why Laos looms large in the memory of Baby Boomers. To later generations, the country is mostly an unknown.

If you're an American traveling to Laos, you might encounter some people who speak English as a second language. Other languages you are more likely to encounter are French, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Thai. Some tips on communicating with Laotian speakers (can also help with English speakers in the USA!):

• Clearly annunciate your ending consonants. Midwesterners in the USA tend not to do this.
• Use short words. They are easier to understand.
• Speak a bit more slowly than usual. Your Laotian counterpart can probably understand your rapid speech, but the opposite may not be true. By speaking more slowly and deliberately, you help slow the other person down so you can understand.
• Avoid slang.
• If you don't quite understand, ask the other person to repeat. But don't shout. The problem isn't deafness, but a difference in articulation.
• Use the correct date format. In the USA, many people use a date format that is unclear to the rest of the world. Rather than say "3-9-2014," say "09 MAR 2014" or "03 SEP 2014" depending on which date you actually mean.

The typical way it's used:

1. You look up a word or a phrase.
2. You use the phonetic results to pronounce the word or phrase to the other person

Alternatively, the other person can use the device to answer you. Remember, it translates in any direction. The controls are in English, so you may need to show the other person how to use it. This is pretty easy to do.

Some specifications:

• Voice Output
• Translates Over 1 Million Words
• 100,000 Useful and Popular Phrases
• New Oxford American Dictionary
• 8 Currency Conversions
• 8 Metric Conversions
• Local Time 12/24 Hour Format
• Voice / Memo Recorder
• World Time in 360 Cities
• 8 Travel Games:
  Soduko, Kakuro, Decoder, Mines, Number Slide,
  Totem Pole, 24, Number Puzzle.
• 8 line display with LED backlight.
• Clear Sound Quality
• FM scan radio
• Maintains history and favorites list
• Carrying Case Included
• Ear Buds Included
• Powered by 2 "AAA" batteries (Included)
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Size: 7.0" x 2.0" x 9.5" In.
• Six Month Warranty

More specs and information