There are several types of messages and information translated in both English and Thai found in your daily life. The question is " Have you ever noticed the language use?". Actually, translating is what you do everytime and it is automatic, though often needs effort. It can be considered as process mulling over in your brain in order to interpret what you are perceiving. Everyone can translate but the point is that how well they can do. So, building a greater exposure to your target language by noticing, jotting down, using and thinking in that language can result to better translating ability.
Here are many frequent types of information which you are most familiar with. Try to explore their language use and styles. There are many more of these that you can learn everywhere, everytime and every situation.
Manuals
http://www.samsung.com/th/support/detail/supportPrdDetail.do?menu=SP01&prd_ia_cd=1402&prd_mdl_cd=NP-RV418-A04TH&prd_mdl_name=NP-RV418I&srchword=NP-RV418-A04TH
http://www.dtac.co.th/blackberry/download/manual-download.html
http://www.thaiconsulatesydney.org/thai/visa
You can compare and learn translations between Thai and English everywhere. When you buy a new mobile phone or an appliance, you always figure out how to use it by browsing through a manual. This is a good chance to enhance your translating skill by reading an English version and then compare your understanding to a Thai translation. This can help strengthen your knowledge on language use though it might take some time. When you become more experienced, your speed of comprehension in your target language while reading materials will be faster and this can help you translate without any reluctance.
Forms
http://www.consular.go.th/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=98
http://www.tistr.or.th/etd/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=10&Itemid=45
http://www.uob.co.th/personal/download-forms_th.htm
In daily life, you can see and fill out many forms of your own purposes, for example, extra courses, banking services and official contact or requests. It is easy for you to learn and memorize new words or technical terms used in the forms as they are written in a basis of a word for word or separated chunks of phrases. In some types of forms, they contain longer phrases or sentences and need a little more interpretation. Take advantage of these to learn a variety of grammatical strings and use of words.
Business and Advertisements
http://brio.honda.co.th/download/honda_brio_catalogue.pdf
http://www.honda.co.th/en/specification-equipment-en/brio.pdf
http://www.lexus.co.th/downloads/brochures.html
http://www.mercedes-benz.co.th/
http://www.sony.co.th/section/home
http://www.sansiri.com/
http://www.amari.com/watergate/
Some examples of language use in many areas of business are provided above. You need to analyze the ways they present their services or products. Are they persuading you to do or to buy something? That's the art of communication. You will know that only solid grammar and correct use of words are not enough.
Legal Affairs
http://www.thailawforforeigners.com/forms.html
http://www.peesirilaw.com/คดีของศาลแรงงานและภาษาอังกฤษสำหรับนักกฎหมายและแบบสัญญา/เรียนภาษาอังกฤษแนวต่อยอดคำศัพย์.html (ที่ถูกต้องคือคำศัพท์)
http://www.charuaypontorranin.com/index.php?lay=show&ac=article&Id=538679211&Ntype=6
http://www.thailaws.com/
You all are familiar with many of these especially those written Thai. However, the provided resources are not too far from your lives. One day, you may make use of the knowledge from this part. However, at this stage, I would like you to notice the language use, grasp ideas and intention of writing each contracts and practice translating.
Research Abstracts
http://library.swu.ac.th/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=S32128K309P02.3199&profile=swu&logout=true&startover=true
http://www.car.chula.ac.th/
There are many more research abstracts in other universities. You can search for them and set the search limit to "theses" only. There are many fields and topics of your interests. While reading, try to notice how they were translated and memorize academic language and structures.
At the end of this part, I would like you all to keep learning and be observant because being a good translator doesn't need only grammar and a large word bank. Also, never stay put with the materials used in your class. When you read English information, you always translate that in Thai and vice versa in some situation. Beyond the above examples for your self-study, there are more of documentaries, movies' subtitles, songs' lyrics, letters, leaflets, bilingual magazines and etc. Take adventage of the access to these learning tools.
