Phasa Lu (Thai: ภาษาลู, pronounced [pʰāː.sǎː lūː], 'Lu language') is a language game or argot based on systematic modification of the Thai language. Since the 2010s, it has become especially associated with the kathoey subculture.

The phenomenon of language exchanges and combines words, which makes it especially helpful for private discussions at events or get-togethers. Lou allows people to communicate without the ease with which others could interpret what they are saying. Some people believe it may have developed from traditional regional dialects or prison slang, while its exact origins are still unknown. Despite its mysterious beginnings, Lou Language has grown to be an essential part of LGBTQ+ culture, providing a platform for individuals to freely express themselves and establish more meaningful connections with one another. Its broad adoption in a variety of social contexts can be attributed to its ease of use and efficacy in preserving privacy. As Thailand's LGBTQ+ community continues to flourish, Lou Language serves as a testament to its resilience and creativity, fostering a sense of camaraderie and solidarity among its speakers.

History edit

The history of the Lou Language is not definitively known as it emerged unofficially within the LGBTQ+ community and developed within the community based on necessity and societal changes.The Lu language does not have a formal and written record. Some Kratoey say that it is learned and passed on from seniors to juniors or friends but mostly they say it was used to communicate between Kratoey around 20 years. In the past[1], LGBTQ+ people were not accepted and had a negative view of ladyboys because they were different genders. They therefore try to create their own unique group identity that is different and that will attract attention through various methods such as dressing, gender reassignment surgery. demeanor Including using the language to talk. The origin of the Lou language is not clear.There are many who argue that the Lou Language might have been used by prisoners to communicate in secret, which could make it difficult for staff members to understand what the prisoners are saying[2]. However, the language was first mentioned on Club Friday in 2007, according to some sources.additionally been used in dramas with well-known actors, such as "Mai Davika," until it earned Since then, interest has grown. Many language researchers find it very hard to keep up with this trend in the right moment.[3]

The language consists of words and phrases created by LGBTQ+ members to communicate among themselves, and its usage often depends on the circumstances and understanding within the specific group, evolving by the community's self-image and identity over time. This is a result of their need for privacy when talking in public, including rumors that one may share right away without needing to hide. Moreover, Lou is an enjoyable language to use to spice up talks and bring excitement to conversations. Emotion-laden, it adds dimension, making discussions more engaging and colorful. The conversation's hues were entertaining, fostering camaraderie and shared enjoyment. In a group, having fun together will strengthen your bonds, creating a sense of unity and belonging. One may say that the environment in which language is employed is similar to a place where people express who they are as Kathoey, a term representing diverse gender identities in Thai culture. Thus, the cultural significance of Lou Language within the LGBTQ+ community is deepened, reinforcing its role as a tool for both communication and self-expression while enhancing inclusivity and understanding among its speakers. The connection between the language and the Thai Language goes beyond words and sounds.

Even though Lou Language might sound different, its grammar and how sentences are put together are similar to Thai. This makes it easy for people to talk to each other. Lou Language is accepted in Thailand, showing how diverse the country is. Both languages influence each other, showing how languages change over time. This helps LGBTQ+ people express themselves. Understanding this connection helps us appreciate Thailand's diversity and promotes acceptance. Lou Language and Thai Language show how language, culture, and identity are all connected, making Thailand a richer and more inclusive place.

Conjugation[4] edit

To understand the language, we need to know its basic rules. It's about changing short words into longer ones. Lou Language changes words in three main ways: by using different sounds for some letters, by changing certain consonants, and by switching vowels. These changes make the Lou Language unique but still understandable alongside Thai. It helps LGBTQ+ people express themselves better and adds to Thailand's cultural richness. So, Lou Language isn't just about words; it's about identity and belonging too.

Commonly used words

Words with long vowel sounds

Thai Alphabet English Equivalent Phonetic Transcription
อา aa /aː/
อี ee /iː/
อือ uue /ɯːa̯/
อู uu /uː/
เอ eh /eː/
แอ ae /ɛː/
โอ oo /oː/
ออ aw /ɔː/
เออ eh /ɤː/
เอีย eea /iːa̯/
เอือ uee /ɯːa̯/
อัว ua /ua̯/
ree /rɯː/
ฤา raa /rɯːa̯/

STEP 1: Replace the original consonant of the first syllable with "ล" (Loh, /loː/) For example, in "โอเค" (Oke, /oː.keː/), separate the syllables into "โ-อเค" (O-Ke, /oː.keː/) and add "ล" (Loh, /loː/) to the first syllable. It becomes "โ(ล)อ" (Loh, /loː/) and "เ(ล)ค." (Leh, /leː/)

STEP 2: Then, add the consonant from the original word to "สระอู" (Uu vowel, /uː/). For instance, from "โล" (Loh, /loː/) we get "อู-เล" (Uu, /uː/ - Leh, /leː/) and "คู" (Koo, /kuː/)

STEP 3: Retain the tone marks and spellings as before. Thus, we get "โลอูเลคู" (Loh oo leh koo, /loː.oo.leː.kuː/) For example, "โอเค" (Oke, /oː.keː/) becomes "โลอูเลคู" (Loh oo leh koo, /loː.oo.leː.kuː/)

Words with the consonants "ร" and "ล"

Thai Alphabet English Equivalent Phonetic Transcription
roh /roː/
loh /loː/

STEP 1: For words containing "ร" (Roh, /roː/) and "ล" (Loh, /loː/) we replace them with "ซ" (Soh, /sɔː/) For example, "ลอง" (Long, /loːŋ/) means "Try", becomes "ซอง" (Song, /soːŋ/) and "รัก" (Rak, /rak/) means "Love", becomes "ซัก" (Sak, /sak/)

STEP 2: Next, we add "สระอู" (Uu vowel, /uː/) to the long vowel sound and "สระอุ" (U, /u/)to the short vowel sound in the original consonant position. For instance, "ลอง" (Long, /loːŋ/) becomes "ซองลูง" (Song loong, /soːŋ luːŋ/) and "รัก" (Rak, /rak/) becomes "ซักรุก" (Sak ruk, /sak ruːk/)

STEP 3: Maintain the tone marks and spelling as before. Thus, we get "ซองลูงซักรุก" (Song loong sak ruk, /soːŋ luːŋ sak ruːk/) For example, "ลองรัก" (Long rak, /loːŋ rak/) becomes "ซองลูงซักรุก." (Song loong sak ruk, /soːŋ luːŋ sak ruːk/)

Words with the vowels "อุ" and "อู"

Thai Alphabet English Equivalent Phonetic Transcription
อุ u /u/
อู uu /uː/

STEP 1: Replace the original consonant with "หล" (Loh, /loː/)

STEP 2: Add "สระอี" (Ee vowel, /iː/) to the long vowel sound and "สระอิ" (I vowel, /iː/) to the short vowel sound in the original consonant position.

STEP 3: Maintain the tone marks and spelling as before. For example, "กูด" (Good, /kuːt/) becomes "หลูดกีด" (Lood geed ,/luːt kiːt/) and "สุก" (Suk, /suk/) becomes "หลุกสิก" (Luk sik, /luːk sik/)

Example of Lou Language[2][3] edit

Thai Alphabet English Equivalent Phonetic Transcription Meaning
ซ่อลู่ลากมูก so loo lak mook /sɔː luː lak muːk/ หล่อมาก/very handsome
ลากยูกไล่ดู่ lak yook lai doo /laːk juːk laɪ duː/ อยากได้/want (sth)
ลีมู แลนฟูน ลังยู lee moo laen fuun lang yoo /liː muː lɛːn fuːn laŋ juː/ มีแฟนยัง/Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend yet?
โลดสูดลีบจูบไล้ดู้ lood sood leep joop lai doo /loːt suːt liːp t͡ɕuːp laɪ duː/ โสดจีบได้/single, can be courted
ไล่มุยลอบชูบ lai mui lob shoob /laɪ muːj lɔːp t͡ɕʰuːp/ ไม่ชอบ/dislike
ไลปูหล่อนกุ่นนะ lai poo lohn kun na /laɪ puː lɔːn kun na/ ไปก่อนนะ/leaving now
ลำทุมไซรูหลู่หยี่ lam thoom sai roo loo yee /lam tʰum saːj ruː luː jîː/ ทำอะไรอยู่/what are you doing?
หลอบขูบไลจุย lop khoop lai jui /lɔp kʰuːp laɪ t͡ɕuːj/ ขอบใจ/thanks
เล่งกุ่ง ลากมูก leng goong lak mook /leːŋ kuŋ laːk muːk/ เก่งมาก/very talented
หลู้สี้ หลู้สี้ loo see loo see /luː sîː luː sîː/ สู้ๆ/keep going
ซักรุก ละนุ sak rook lanu /sak ruːk laː nuː/ รักนะ/love you
ลิดคุด หลึงถุง lid kud leung thung /lit kuːt lɯŋ tʰuŋ/ คิดถึง/miss you

Reference edit

[5] [6]

  1. ^ Roopkean, Poonyaporn (2019). "ลาภูลาษูซูแล : ภาษาลูกับการสร้างอัตลักษณ์ของกลุ่มกระเทย" (PDF).
  2. ^ a b Beauty, editer (2022). "ภาษาลูสุดจึ้ง". Wongnoi.
  3. ^ a b Keawon, Sutthilak (2022-04-05). "ภาษาลู คืออะไร เรียนรู้ภาษาสุดบันเทิงของชาว LGBTQ ไม่ยากอย่างที่คิด". th.theasianparent.com (in Thai). Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  4. ^ "เทียบ 18 สระ Eng - Thai หมดปัญหา คำนี้อ่านไงนะ?". GLOBISH. 2020.
  5. ^ Natchaphon B.. (2023, August 14). ภาษาลูคืออะไร. Retrieved from Sanook: https://www.sanook.com/campus/1399787/
  6. ^ Erin Blakemore. (2021, October 20). From LGBT to LGBTQIA+: The evolving recognition of identity. Retrieved from Nationalgeographic: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/from-lgbt-to-lgbtqia-the-evolving-recognition-of-identity