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March 13, 20260 citationsOpen Access

Thai ก Is Not Russian "g": The Problem of English Transliteration Interference in Teaching Thai to Russian Speakers

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BSBoris A. Savinov

Key Points

  • The study aims to identify phonetic errors in Russian-speaking learners' pronunciation of the Thai consonant ก influenced by English transliteration.
  • Analyzed phonetic errors in Thai pronunciation by Russian speakers
  • Conducted a comparative analysis of 12 English transliteration systems
  • Reviewed Russian-language academic and educational publications on Thai phonetics
  • Russian learners consistently pronounce ก as the voiced velar plosive [ɡ] instead of the intended voiceless unaspirated [k]
  • The 'g' notation in English transliteration confuses learners due to its implication of voicing
  • Recommendations include introducing clearer phonetic distinctions in teaching methods

Abstract

This article examines a phonetic error commonly observed by Thai language teachers among Russian-speaking learners, who pronounce the Thai consonant ก as the Russian voiced velar plosive ɡ instead of the voiceless unaspirated k. The error is caused by the influence of English-based transliteration systems that represent ก with the symbol "g". A comparative analysis of 12 English transliteration systems is presented, along with descriptions of the phonetics of ก from Russian-language academic and educational publications. It is demonstrated that the "g" notation in English systems is a pedagogical device intended for native English speakers and does not imply voicing. Recommendations are proposed for preventing this interference when teaching Thai to Russian speakers.

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Cite This Study

Boris A. Savinov (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69b3ace502a1e69014cceee9https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18950527
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