Sequential word repetitions in the VMS

[ReneZ]

Hi Marco,

the ๆ symbol is only used for exact repetition. There is some quasi-reduplication in colloquial expressions, but the repeated part is usually shorter than the non-repeated part.
Typical example: "sanuk" mean fun, "sanuk-sanaan" also means fun but more elaborately.

I had a quick look around. Apart from reduplication of nouns, it is perhaps even more frequently used for adjectives, and the effect is of reducing the quality of the adjective a bit.
ngao = lonely. ngao-ngao = feeling a bit lonely.
I quickly bumped into a CD title which has four reduplicated words in succession, but that is certainly not usual.

1% might just be possible, depending on the type of text....


ฺัBy the way, Thai spelling is quite particular. The above word ngao-ngao is written:
เหงาๆ
The เ is the first half of 'ao'. The character เ is one of several that has to be at the start of a syllable (or word).
The ห is just there to change the tone from neutral to rising.
The ง is the 'ng'
The า is the second half of 'ao'.

The first character pronounced in this case is the third one.
This word is sorted in the dictionary under ห


Taken together with the fact that about half the vowels are not written, and all words are strung together, one can  see that reading Thai for the beginner is quite a challenge.

I am not aware of triplication, except for laughter, which is mostly written 555 since 5 = ha. Perhaps also other exclamations.