Department of English

Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University


2202124  Introduction to Translation

 

 

Informative Text (Thai-English) Discussion

The translations given on this page are neither comprehensive nor definitive.  They are here to give you an idea of the range of possibilities and to spark discussion.  Suggestions and comments are welcome.

 

Translate the following into English.

 

ประเทศ ไทยตั้งอยู่ใจกลางภูมิภาคเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้  มีขนาดใหญ่เป็นอันดับที่ 50 ของโลก โดยมีเนื้อที่เท่าๆ กับขนาดของประเทศฝรั่งเศส  เมืองหลวงและเมืองที่มีพลเมืองอาศัยอยู่หนาแน่นที่สุดของประเทศไทยคือ กรุงเทพมหานคร  จากการสำรวจครั้งล่าสุดโดยสำนักงานสถิติแห่งชาติ จำนวนประชากรของไทยอยู่ที่ประมาณ 65 ล้านคน  ในสมัยก่อน ประเทศไทยมีชื่อทางการว่า "สยาม"  แต่ต่อมาในปี พ.ศ. 2482 ได้เปลี่ยนเป็น "ประเทศไทย"  คำว่า "ไทย" อันที่จริงแล้วเป็นชื่อของกลุ่มชาติพันธุ์หนึ่งจากที่ราบตอนกลาง  ไม่ได้หมายถึงอิสรภาพอย่างที่เชื่อกันโดยทั่วไป  อย่างไรก็ตาม แม้ชื่อประเทศไทยจะไม่เกี่ยวข้องกับความเป็นอิสระ แต่ในประวัติศาสตร์อันยาวนาน 800 ปีของไทย ประเทศไทยเป็นประเทศเดียวในเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้ที่ไม่เคยเป็นเมืองขึ้น ของมหาอำนาจตะวันตกเลย


 

Translation 1: Sample for Discussion

Thailand is located in the center of the Southeast Asian region. With an area about the size of France, it is the fiftieth largest country in the world. The capital and the most densely populated city of Thailand is Bangkok. The latest consensus by the National Statistics Bureau lists Thai population at around 65 million. In the past, the official name of Thailand was "Siam" but in 1939 it was changed to "Thailand." The word "Tai" is actually the name of an ethnic group from the central plains, not the word that means liberty as is widely believed. However, although the name of the country has nothing to do with freedom, in its 800-year long history, it is the only nation in Southeast Asia that was not colonized by a Western power.

 

 

Translation 2: Sample for Discussion

Thailand lies in the center of Southeast Asia. It is the word's 50th largest country with an area approximately that of France. The capital and the most populous city of Thailand is Bangkok.  According to the latest survey by the National Statistics Bureau, Thailand's population stands at about 65 million. In the past, Thailand's official name was "Siam" but later, in 1939, was changed to "Thailand."  The word "Thai" actually comes from the name of an ethnic group from the central plains. It does not mean "independence" as is commonly believed. Although the name "Thailand" does not have anything to do with freedom, throughout its 800-year history, Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia that has never been colonized by a western power. 

 

 

Translation 3: Sample for Discussion

Thailand is located in the center of the Southeast Asian region. With an area roughly the size of France, Thailand is the 50th largest country in the world.  The capital and the most heavily populated city of Thailand is Bangkok.  The latest consensus by the National Statistics Bureau gives Thai population at around 65 million. In the past, the official name of Thailand was "Siam" but in 1939 it was changed to "Thailand."  The word "Thai" is actually the name of an ethnic group from the central plains, not the word that means liberty as is widely believed.  However, although the name of the country has nothing to do with freedom, in its 800-year long history, it is the only country in Southeast Asia that was not colonized by a Western imperial power.

 

 

Translation 4: Sample for Discussion

Thailand is in the center of the Southeast Asian region. It is 50th largest in the world, with an area about the size of France.  The capital and the most densely populated city of Thailand is Bangkok.  The latest consensus by the National Statistics Bureau gives Thai population at around 65 million. In the past, the official name of Thailand was "Siam" but in 1939 it was changed to "Thailand."  The word "Thai" is actually the name of an ethnic group from the central plains, not the word that means liberty as is widely believed.  However, although the name of the country has nothing to do with freedom, in its 800-year long history, it is the only country in Southeast Asia never to have been colonized by a Western imperial power.

 

 

Translation 5: Sample for Discussion

Thailand, centrally positioned in Southeast Asia, is the 50th largest country in the world, with an area about the size of France. Its capital and most densely populated city is Bangkok. Latest National Statistical Office consensus surveys have the population at around 65 million. Once officially known as Siam, in 1939 it became Thailand. "Thai," in fact, being a central plains ethnic community, not the "liberty" of common belief. Yet, despite this nominal dissociation with freedom, throughout an impressive 800 years, it is the only Southeast Asian nation never to have been colonized by any Western imperial power.

 

 

Reference

 


 

Discussion

 


 

Vocabulary

 


 

Links

The World Factbook: Thailand

 

 


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Last updated March 15, 2022