Quiet, unassuming, kindly, sensible David Thomas was truly certainly one of SIL’s greats – one thing probably few present SIL people know. David and Dot spent two years in Saigon the place David additionally taught on the University of Saigon. So he finally prayed, “Lord if that is you talking to me, remind me in the morning, and I will write to her.” And the next morning, that thought popped up again, so he did write to Dot. Dave and Dot got here to Sabah, Malaysia, for a trip and we had some long walks and talks together within the Mount Kinabalu National Park. We are grateful to have known Dave and to have worked together with him. We’re grateful to him and his spouse, Ajarn Dorothy, who joined the Mahidol staff members in building a strong foundation of linguistics that emphasizes the study of languages of ethnic minorities and area linguistics in Thailand (and in addition South East Asia). His intellect was glad in learning the unknown, his heart was fulfilled in sharing the instruments of literacy and the wisdom of the Scriptures – each things treasured to himself – with those who likewise thirsted. He valued those that took the trouble to learn ‘more than they wanted to’ in order to assist each themselves and their colleagues to do a more competent job.
I count it as an awesome privilege to have had a pal, and colleague like him, who was nearer to me than a brother. Dave, together with Prof. Nguyen Dinh Hoa, formed the Linguistic Circle of Saigon, which in flip launched the journal Mon-Khmer Studies in 1964. This distinctive journal was a ‘labor of love’ which has through the years had a number of houses (now at Mahidol University in Bangkok), but would certainly have died on the vine without Dave’s single-handed persistence. David Thomas takes his distinguished place within the pantheon of leading scholars in Mon-Khmer linguistics. He was keenly enthusiastic about explanations for the variegated manifestations of Mon-Khmer phonological register techniques. That was a few of the advice that students at the varsity of Engineering (JTH), Jönköping University (JU), acquired before their research exchange at Rangsit University and Kasetsart University in Bangkok, Thailand. Though Dave’s time as Director ended in 1963, he continued as the Branch Linguistics Committee Chairman and Branch Librarian for the rest of his years in Vietnam and Cambodia, during the transition in the Philippines 1975-78, and subsequently in Thailand. Dave set the example by taking numerous large chunks of trip of his and Dot’s tasks to additional the general department targets — each as Acting Director and at workshops.
Dave was possessed of a quiet self-confidence, however was devoid of any sense of self-importance. Dave and Dorothy Thomas worked on all fronts – linguistics, literacy, anthropology and translation of a variety of literature. He made me work exhausting on manuscripts of any sort and to shine them, mentioning, by the way, that any good manuscript should be labored over and corrected at least 15 instances, to make it ready for a publisher, and to be understood unambiguously in the whole world, particularly right here in Asia. His encouragement of young scholars everywhere in the group has had a profound impact on our work around the world. Avoid avenue food, don’t take the bus, and do not put on shorts to work. Several years later, after I had begun work on a Cambodian dictionary, I acquired again in contact and discussed some ideas I had in regards to the Pearic languages. The first focus of the Kontum establishment was the evaluation of various elements of Vietnamese languages. Talented as he was, his demeanor was more servant, less master. Since I had no formal accounting training that was, for me, an enlightening experience.
Dave’s experience on the University of Pennsylvania was shared with me. The final 1978 Bibliography of the Vietnam/Cambodia Branch (by then renamed the Mainland Southeast Asia Branch) lists 681 printed technical works by the Branch members, many, if not most, completed via Dave’s encouragement and consulting. We’d like an Accountant assigned to our Branch! I noticed the complete circulate of funds from our donors, out to the members, with member finance experiences going back . He asked her when she and David have been going to get married! 28. Thomas, David and Gunnar Dalseth. 9. Prachakitchakonrachak Phraya, David D. Thomas, and Sophana Srichampa. It is our deepest sorrow to hear that Ajarn Dr. David Thomas has passed away. In his lifetime David authored or co-authored 15 books, edited or co-edited 11 books or journals, and printed one hundred ten articles (14 of which were co-authored). Reflecting again to these many weeks touring together, Dave as soon as famous that as introverts, a lot of the time spent together was spent in silence (i.e. studying, writing). Thanks for every little thing, Dave. But, he added, linguistics college students have an edge on the opposite humanity college students.