When I first heard the term "plakat" used to describe short tail bettas, I thought it was a convenient term that english speakers came up with to describe the short finned varieties.
It took me way too long to realize that the word you guys use, "plakat" is derived from "bplaa-gad" ปลากัด (all pronounced in a completely flat tone), which--in thai, means "biting fish", and is our common name for the entire betta genus. Instead of calling them betta fish, we call them bplaa-gad. All fin and tail types, bplaa-gad.
I didn't recognize the word "plakat" at first, because I think a lot of people tend to ascribe a bit of a british(?) accent to it and emphasize "kat" with a falling, rising tone, or even a high tone instead of a flat tone. A lot of folks also tend to shorten the "a" in "pla" and lengthen the "a" in kat"--making it sound more like "pla-KAAT" instead of "plaa-kat".
None of this is of much importance, I just thought it was kind of funny and that it'd be interesting to share with you! Language is a funny thing.
Here's my bplaa-gad beholding a snail:
Comments (7)
What type of beta is that because it is absolutely gorgeous
I'm told that he's an opaque + cellophane :D
I love etymology. Thank you for the lesson!
Alright, now u made me curious if I pronounce plakat right :joy: :joy: :sweat_smile: i say it like "plah-cat". is that right?? :joy:
almost, very close! If you're going for the thai pronunciation, the "p" sounds is actually closer to a "b" sound, and the "c" is a hard "g" :>
Reply to: paintedbees
Ooh, interesting :joy: never heard it that way, thats pretty neat!
That’s actually pretty cool!!