Anecdotal Comparison of Chinese and Thai
For reference, I started learning Mandarin at age 23. Thai came later at 25.
I learned both in their respective countries and speak both fairly fluently.
This does not mean I can converse on every topic nor does it imply 100% accuracy.
flu·en·cy | /ˈflo͞oənsē/ | the ability to express oneself easily and articulately.
Both are tonal, share a comparable grammar structure, very economical (unlike English) and share a similar paradigm of thought.
For example:
"Have you eaten rice yet?" has a comparable construction (Eat Rice already Not/ or Yet), consists of 4 syllables, and is the common greeting in both languages.
Both share a similar literalness to language formation.
ฟ้าร้อง - thunder - sky cry (TH)
电话 - phone - electric talk (CH)
Despite their similarities, I've personally found Chinese far easier to grasp.
Thai has always felt elusive, slippery and just out of reach -- as if attempting to wield a flimsy reed as opposed to a heavier, sturdier sword that is Mandarin. I credit this to the melodic, sing-song element of Thai whereas Mandarin is sharper and more terse.
I can firmly grip Mandarin but only cradle Thai.
Thai is gentle, Mandarin is harsh. I sing Thai and bark Mandarin.
Another factor is the seemingly looser structure of spoken Thai. Its language at times appears to merely compliment feelings/ vibes - almost secondary in nature to the feeling imparted on the listener. Words are jumbled together - lacking any coherent structure - and thrown at the recipient to "get" the message.
Mandarin and more so English has a certain rigidity that is in many ways comforting. The parameters provide a sense of order that may be relied upon. A clear right and a clear wrong. This matters in the beginning of learning any new system.
So often I hear ก็ได้ in response to questions of Thai syntax and word choice.
Literally translated to: also can.
If seemingly any structure is valid, then what am I to hold on to?