Composition, Translation and Applied Writing
Composition, translation and applied writing tests controlled production: paragraph and essay organisation, formal and informal letters, notices, and faithful translation between Tai and English or Assamese.
What is marked
For composition: a clear opening, ordered paragraphs, connectives, and a conclusion that answers the topic. For letters: correct sender, date, address, salutation and closing conventions, with consistent register. For translation: meaning, not word order. Keep proper names, numerals, classifiers, honorifics and particles accurate; do not import English tense endings into Tai. Translate idioms by their sense, and add a brief gloss only if the examiner asks for explanation.
Worked example
Translate: “The children have gone to the monastery.” Steps: identify subject (“children”), verb of motion (“go”), goal (“monastery”), and completed aspect. In Tai, use the noun without a plural suffix, the motion verb, the goal phrase, and a completive particle if the prescribed grammar requires it. Do not translate “have” as a separate possessive verb. Check honorific reference for the monastery if the register is formal.
Traps
Word-for-word translation; leaving English word order in Tai; dropping aspect particles; translating an idiom literally; mixing scripts within one answer; and ignoring the format of a notice or letter. Leave time to check particles, classifiers and tone marks.