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Ferang, Germanic tribes, France, Mongols and Persian


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What have Ferang, German tribes, France, the Mongols and Persian got in common?

 

 

 

Ferang as you know is the name given to all foreigners in Thailand by the Thai people. The word Ferang comes from the Persian word Farang/Ferangi and Frangistan meaning Franks and Land of the Franks. The Franks were a Germanic tribe and a major political power in western Europe during the middle ages and made such an impact at the time that France derived its name from them. During the 13th and 14th century the term Franks was coined by the Mongols to describe Europeans.

 

The next time you hear the word Ferang take a moment to think of the millennium long journey From Mongolia to Europe back to Persia and on to Siam and how fitting it is for people making the long journey today to bear such a historic name.

 

 

 

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The word is, farang, and its origins is, IIRC, French.

 

Even if you can speak no other words of Thai, most European and American visitors to Thailand will quickly become familiar with the Thai word farang (often mispronounced (even by Thais) as falang - farang with a slightly trilled 'r' is the correct pronunciation.)....

 

http://www.into-asia.com/thai_language/farang.php

 

 

Farang or Falang
Also 'prang' in the southern Thai dialect

The generic Thai word for specifying a white person or white foreigner

Normally non offensive. Although continued use after knowledge of your name is considered rude.

The origin of the word is still debated.

1) "farang-set" (meaning French/France)
2) the bastardization of the English word "Foreign"

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=farang

Edited by Samsonite
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The word is, farang, and its origins is, IIRC, French.

No it's not.

 

The OP is more accurate on the history of the term, though it is not used to describe all foreigners...only Caucasians.

 

They have other names for ethnic groups from the middle east, Indian subcontinent, black, and specific East Asian countries.

 

It's definitely not from the French language.

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Sorry, seriously disagree!

 

Perhaps I misunderstood what you are saying...

 

Are you saying the origin is from the French language or from the Arabic traders' word for French or Europeans?

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No it's not.

 

The OP is more accurate on the history of the term, though it is not used to describe all foreigners...only Caucasians.

 

They have other names for ethnic groups from the middle east, Indian subcontinent, black, and specific East Asian countries.

 

It's definitely not from the French language.

 

what do they call the other groups?

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They have other names for ethnic groups from the middle east, Indian subcontinent, black, and specific East Asian countries.

 

 

what do they call the other groups?

 

Black Man is called Chocolate Man :bhappy

 

The name has been in use by Thais for more than a Millenium, even before Chocolate was invented.

Edited by papillon
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The word is, farang, and its origins is, IIRC, French ...

1) "farang-set" (meaning French/France)

 

The origin of the word is Arabic, probably introduced into what is now Thailand by Persian traders. Farang (caucasian) existed in Thai before feranset (French), so it's more likely that feranset is a blend of the existing Thai word (farang) and francais. The first European traders to arrive in Siam were the Portuguese, so it's implausible that the Siamese chose to call them something derived directly from a French word (although you could argue that the ultimate origin is the same (German?) word (Franko). Likewise, the guava was likely introduced by the Portuguese from South America ... hence the Thai name, farang (caucasian's fruit).

 

 

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Likewise, the guava was likely introduced by the Portuguese from South America ... hence the Thai name, farang (caucasian's fruit).

 

That reminds me that I need to research Farang/ Guava fruit.

 

I got a taste for the cartons of juice sold in LOS. Couldn't be arsed eating the actual fruit. Not much of a fruit eater to be honest. I get my vitamins from Cider. The Farang Fruit I did occasionally eat in LOS when my GF was gracious enough to slice it up and offer me some after I bought a shed load for her family looks nothing like the Guava fruit that I see on the label of the carton I managed to find here in the UK.

 

The photo on the UK carton looks more like an Avocado on the outside but when sliced in half, the flesh on the inside is pink. The juice is pink. I tasted it and it tastes nothing like the Farang juice I drank in LOS. I got my microscope out and read the list of ingredients. 35% Sugar. WTF! Surely an error? No. The one litre carton was 35% full of fucking sugar! Damn, I'm going to turn into a US Citizen if I continue to drink this crap. Tesco sell this shit brand named Rubicon. I read before on the internet that ASDA food supermarkets sell Guava juice but the nearest store to me is fucking miles away.

 

I think I need to research the different varieties of the Guava fruit and hopefully find an Asian shop that sells the Thai Farang type. Squeeze the juice out fresh like I do with Thai pussy, LOL.

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Perhaps I misunderstood what you are saying...

 

Are you saying the origin is from the French language or from the Arabic traders' word for French or Europeans?

 

The last time I research this, many years ago, everything I found said it was derived from a French word. When I have the time I'll research it again.

Edited by Samsonite
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The last time I research this, many years ago, everything I found said it was derived from a French word. When I have the time I'll research it again.

 

The question has been addressed by the Departments of Languages and/or Linguistics at almost every major Thai university.

 

From Chula ...

 

From Mahidol ...

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Too bad Joe-It-All is no longer with us. Whenever there was a question about anything to do with Thailand, he was the ONLY source with the correct answer. Even when proved wrong numerous times....

 

 

JK was the Man on this forum while he was here. I hope he's still here.

 

Nobody else has ever come close.

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JK was the Man on this forum while he was here. I hope he's still here.

 

Nobody else has ever come close.

.

 

 

 

 

 

He's probably still here but in a different form. He sure as hell couldn't have saved a lurker this long.

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