Pronunciation issues are capable of inciting the greatest of misunderstandings, and it’s not exactly hard to understand why.
Depending on where you’re from and the native language you’re attempting to speak, the result could greatly vary.
However, we can take solace in the fact that most of the time, we’ll only have our family and friends around us when we make such amateur mistakes.
So in a sense, it’s still entirely forgivable, though you may find your family talking about it over dinner for the next fortnight or so.
But here’s the thing. While we’re lucky in that aspect, some aren’t as lucky. Some are in major authoritative positions and are simply not allowed (in a societal sense) to commit such ‘grave’ errors.
Wondering who I’m talking about? Well…
Let’s read on to find out.
Trump Mispronounced Thailand As ‘Thighland’ & Memes Were Produced in Record Time
As the average Indiana Jones would surely attest to, land is aplenty in this world. Some are glorious in nature, others are blessed with a Chatuchak market…
And one, according to the president of the United States himself, is that of… thighs.
According to Mothership, U.S. President Donald Trump is in the social media limelight once again, having mispronounced Thailand as “Thighland” in a public speaking event.
In his speech, which was held in a washing machine factory in Ohio, Trump spoke of how the country’s competitors have shifted production to other nations to avoid competition.
He then refers to countries like Vietnam…
And what sounded suspiciously like “Thighland”.
You can view the segment at the 0:16 mark of the following video:
Although he appeared to recover promptly, with the second mention of Thailand being pronounced correctly… the damage has been done.
And Netizens simply weren’t going to pass up the chance to take the mickey out of everyone’s ‘favourite’ blonde President.
“Mr President, I believe Thighland is near Uranus.”
— Faith Salie (@Faith_Salie) August 7, 2020
Memes in regards to the topic began to surface like McDonald’s hotcakes on a busy weekend morning…
The world according to the Cheeto in Chief. #Thighland pic.twitter.com/0ofBsyMoN6
— IBBabe (@IB_sane) August 7, 2020
And they didn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon.
#Thighland Do to my mask wearing initiative, our national strategy of social distancing. Along with our national health care system, we have the lowest covid19 infection rate in the world! #THIGHLANDIANS KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!! pic.twitter.com/7hw2EbGuVz
— PRESIDENT THIGHLAND (@RICHPEOPLEPRESS) August 7, 2020
PSA: Thighland is just south of Buttswana.
(This way out? Thanks.)
— YS (@NYinLA2121) August 7, 2020
“Thighland’: Donald Trump mispronouces Thailand, mocked online”
Awww, the poor guy was just hungry. He was thinking of some delicious Kentucky Fried Chicken with that new Thai Crispy dip!
Just feed him and put him to bed…#Thighland #TrumpIsACompleteFailure #YoSemites pic.twitter.com/2hqZZwZlWy
— . (@Zardoz_IX) August 7, 2020
But in the end, none of them held a candle to The Thai Enquiry, which seemed to embrace Trump’s mistake with all the intolerance of a chaffed Asian mum.
Heck, they even changed their Twitter handle to reflect Trump’s error.
Well, that was savage alright.
Defence Counsel
Though the majority of the Internet have taken to condemning Trump’s pronunciation mistake, some have also stepped out to defend the US president’s brief lapse in pronunciation judgement.
Dinesh D’Souza, a conservative writer who was issued a pardon by Trump back in 2018, proved to be one of Trump’s more outspoken defenders amid the whole thigh debacle.
In a Twitter post, he argued that “Thighland” is technically how English speakers all around the world would say it.
Let me clarify. I’m not saying “Thighland” is how it is said in the Thai language. The French say “Paree” but that’s not how it is pronounced in English. “Thighland,” not “Tai-land,” is how English speakers around the world say it
— Dinesh D’Souza (@DineshDSouza) August 7, 2020
However, the writer was soon shot down for his effort, with many providing links to commercials and other videos that seemed to refute the notion.
Some have also posted scathing replies, with one making a reference to Dinesh’s pardon…
Let me clarify. I’m not saying “Thighland” is how it is said in the Thai language. The French say “Paree” but that’s not how it is pronounced in English. “Thighland,” not “Tai-land,” is how English speakers around the world say it
— Dinesh D’Souza (@DineshDSouza) August 7, 2020
And another (familiar) figure spewing satire all over the place.
As a website run by “Thigh” people, Dinesh is amazingly and laughably wrong here.
Let us introduce you to something Thai people actually say….
5555555555 https://t.co/8lK668fAGH
— Thigh Enquirer (@ThaiEnquirer) August 7, 2020
Well, two things seem to be sure here.
One, always have a basis to backup your argument. And second…
Always watch your pronunciation in public events, because they may well spawn an entire plethora of… memes.
Would you be jailed for being half-naked in public? Well, the answer will shock you. Seriously. Watch this to the end and you'll understand:
