Computers and the Thai Language
[3B2-6] man2009010046.3d 12/2/09 13:47 Page 46 Computers and the Thai Language Hugh Thaweesak Koanantakool National Science and Technology Development Agency Theppitak Karoonboonyanan Thai Linux Working Group Chai Wutiwiwatchai National Electronics and Computer Technology Center This article explains the history of Thai language development for computers, examining such factors as the language, script, and writing system, among others. The article also analyzes characteristics of Thai characters and I/O methods, and addresses key issues involved in Thai text processing. Finally, the article reports on language processing research and provides detailed information on Thai language resources. Thai is the official language of Thailand. Certain vowels, all tone marks, and diacritics The Thai script system has been used are written above and below the main for Thai, Pali, and Sanskrit languages in Bud- character. dhist texts all over the country. Standard Pronunciation of Thai words does not Thai is used in all schools in Thailand, and change with their usage, as each word has a most dialects of Thai use the same script. fixed tone. Changing the tone of a syllable Thai is the language of 65 million people, may lead to a totally different meaning. and has a number of regional dialects, such Thai verbs do not change their forms as as Northeastern Thai (or Isan; 15 million with tense, gender, and singular or plural people), Northern Thai (or Kam Meuang or form,asisthecaseinEuropeanlanguages.In- Lanna; 6 million people), Southern Thai stead, there are other additional words to help (5 million people), Khorat Thai (400,000 with the meaning for tense, gender, and sin- people), and many more variations (http:// gular or plural.
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