If you could do this in Thai it would help me! I have been here over a year and have less than 20 words probably. I am very good with accents, so once I say hello, Thai people think I can speak to them. Then I pull out my "nit noi" [little bit] and we all relax knowing I am actually illiterate. Luckily, smiling is part of the language here and breaks all boundaries.
My best skill is grunting in Thai. I love that these little sounds are communication here. Again, this makes people think I know what I'm doing. I also notice that I do not get around as well in the surrounding countries, so perhaps I'm getting more than I think.
Recently I sat on the bus with a Thai lady who works with tourists and can speak many languages. She named off at least 10 of them. When she found out I came here from California, she whipped out the Spanish since her customers from California usually speak it. I shockingly understood her very well, so the Spanish there apparently rubbed off on me.
Many, many people advise learning the Thai alphabet characters as a great first step to learning the language, so I will go back to it with some optimism.
I subbed you on yt and learned about butterflies. That was awesome. So glad to find you in both places :)