Published on September 02, 2005

Failure to acknowledge criticism can be harmful to your mental health

Citizens of nations whose elected public servants exhibit a pattern of behaviour that includes imperviousness and a pathological need for adulation along with episodes of paranoia and rage upon any sign of criticism or the absence of adulation, should become aware that these are the symptoms of a psychopathic condition known as NPD – or Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

In their management style, these individuals prefer theatre over substance. They often feel grandiose and show a tendency for haughty behaviour that may belittle their fellow citizens. In these instances, it is important that the affected persons not respond in anger because anger is not constructive.

Citizens should take care not to criticise their leaders in a malicious way. It would be more constructive to show understanding and kindness in dealing with the afflicted, particularly when the individual in question has established a record of excellence and dedication in public service. Apparently we are all born narcissistic and we are kept that way by doting parents who worship us and attend to our every need. At some point in our childhood, most of us make the transition from being the centre of the universe to a more sobering version of reality. For reasons not well understood, some of us don’t.

Cha-am Jamal

Phetchaburi

----------------------------------------------

Reporters can also use ‘X’ and ‘O’ communication

It has been said by many that last month’s display at the press briefing by the prime minister was further evidence of the contempt in which he holds other people. However, might there not be another interpretation? Could not the use of the X and O cards be in fact a cry for help from a person put into the unfortunate position of having to have answers and solutions to each and every problem that arises? Perhaps he is actually hinting to members of the media that they should respond to his answers in the same way: an X to indicate an “unconstructive” answer or an O to indicate that he is on the right track. I hope that members of the media are able to take up this hinted invitation.

Graham Dewey

Phuket

----------------------------------------------

Baffled by what’s legal here and what’s not

The legal system here in Thailand can get confusing sometimes. What I have learned in the past year or so is that if you shoot someone in front of a large number of witnesses you get probation, and that if you are poor you can get charged for a crime you didn’t commit, even though everyone knows you didn’t do it. The list goes on. Can I recommend a new section in the newspaper outlining the real Thai law

versus that what is inconveniently written down in the law books, so that the rest of us can keep up?

Legally Confused

Bangkok

----------------------------------------------

Sympathies are appreciated when times are tough

Re: “Finding unity in tragedy”, Opinion, September 1. I thank you for your feelings of sympathy and camaraderie. I live in Florida, which was ravaged by four hurricanes last year and two this year. No matter how horrible our experience was, it does not compare to the devastation caused by last December’s tsunami or that of Hurricane Katrina.

Many of the victims of Katrina are those who did not have cars and were simply too poor to evacuate. As wonderful as the city of New Orleans is, its poverty rate is about 40 per cent. Also, with so many trying to evacuate, many turned home and gave up after being stuck in solid, unmoving vehicle traffic. No one anticipated the degree of destruction and despair. We in the US thank the world and the Thai people for their outpouring of support. At times like this, it is good to be reminded that we have many friends in the world.

Susan Gibson

Palm Beach, Florida

----------------------------------------------

Tragedy brings a chance to reciprocate generosity

Given the horrifying devastation and loss of life that has been wrought in the US by Hurricane Katrina, I am sure we will soon hear reports about the generous aid and assistance being provided by the Thai government to those suffering there. Thailand has received international aid on many occasions in the past, and I’m sure it is eager to show the same generosity to its friends in their time of need.

Lewis Gibson

Singapore

----------------------------------------------

Those trying to oust Jaruvan are not highly competent

I fully support Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka and hope she will stay in the post of auditor-general. She was endorsed by His Majesty the King for the post. On the other hand, Senate Speaker Suchon Chaleekrua should take full responsibility and step down. It is very wrong for him to keep waiting and tell the media that he will not discuss the matter any further.

He is trying to shift his responsibility to the King’s staff, which is uncalled for. He has no business doing that. Why does the administration want to get rid of good people? The nomination of Visut Montriwat for the post of auditor-general should be withdrawn. The Constitution Court ruling regarding the selection process for how Jaruvan became auditor-general stopped short of clarifying her status. That is very appropriate. Those who voted to oust Jaruvan are not highly competent. Please remember their names and don’t vote for them again in the future.

Surasak Piputtana

Bangkok

----------------------------------------------

Seeing red over the derailed Orange and Purple lines

Premier Thaksin has betrayed Bangkok voters by cancelling the Purple and Orange line extensions of the subway, and coming up with the BRT, which is a poor substitute.

The case of the Orange line’s being cancelled is pure discrimination against southerners and Muslim Bangkokians in the Ramkhamhaeng area, which are staunch supporters of the Democrat Party.

The TRT knows that the BRT substitute is nothing but a glorified version of BMTA air-conditioned buses.

Engaging in such shenanigans with the budget for mass transit systems is inexcusable. Premier Thaksin, nobody believes you when you say that you’ll come up with an MRT to replace the BRT routes later on.

Wisarut

Bangkok

----------------------------------------------

Learning a language does not need to be so difficult

Re: “Why use English when there are better alternatives?” Letters, August 31.

The writer is right that English has never been democratically chosen as the world’s auxiliary language. It is in effect the language that history has forced down much of the planet’s throat. But Esperanto has never been able to catch on, despite its small groups of devotees, especially in some corners of Europe.

One genuine alternative is a reduced mini-form of English, still capable of expressing even quite complex thought, known as Basic English. It was developed in the 1930s and 1940s by Charles Ogden and Ivor A Richards, both pioneers in linguistic semantics, along with an international team of linguists and authors.

The system offers a quickly learnable kind of pared-down English based on some 900 words, with only 18 verbs. Extensive experience shows that Basic can be really mastered as a self-contained auxiliary language in a matter of months and can be used in science, tourism and international business.

Basic is not simplified English for elementary learners, it is something far more flexible and sophisticated in its power of expression and clarity. It is taught today in Japan, for example, in the form later elaborated by Ivor Richards called Every Man’s English, and promoted in Japan by Yuzuru Katagiri and his associates.

Linguists around the world are beginning to look at revitalising this streamlined, multi-purpose easily learnable “people’s English”. It is an efficient and cost-effective alternative for teaching English as an international language. Experiments over decades, especially in China, where Richards was active many years, have demonstrated its utility. The Basic English Institute has been revived and can be found online.

Language educators in Thailand and the region can begin to explore a kind of updated Basic English as one concrete alternative to standard English being taught today everywhere and not learned well. Basic English can of course serve as a remarkably solid foundation for the far smaller number of learners who may want to try to master standard English. Experiments with Basic are needed here in Thailand now.

Bill Templer

Trang

Mastering English is hard, even for its native speakers

Re: “Why use English when there are better alternatives?” August 31. Claude Piron made some good points in the opening paragraphs of his letter promoting Esperanto. As soon as The Nation prints its first Esperanto edition I will become a student of the language. Mr Piron’s third paragraph reveals his true motive: fair play. English speakers have an advantage. If we are willing to share it with everyone, why doesn’t Claude want a piece of the pie? He seems to believe that English speakers don’t need to study English. I went to public schools in the US for 12 years and had to study English each year. Although I didn’t enjoy it very much at the time, I’m able to communicate my wants and needs using English.

Steve Snyder

Bangkok

Post your comment to this story here