Originally Posted by Boonmee

This is a very good point (although I would say that "nam jai" simply means "generosity"). "Greng jai", on the other hand, seems to be a collection of concepts in English, ie depending on the context: "respect for one's superiors"/"fear of imposing or putting someone out"/ even "embarrassment".

The fact that Thai has just one phrase, where English must use many, would suggest that this is an important concept in Thai culture (and as we all know, it is). This is turn suggests that culture influences language (rather than vice-versa). Does this not also suggest that thought influences language, rather than language influencing thought?