Cultural Assessment - Thailand and America

They gained the most in share of the total population, moving up from about 4 percent in 2000 to about 5 percent in 2010 (US Census Bureau, 2011, para. 10).
             Assessment of Communication Factors.
             E.S., nicknamed "Year"", speaks Thai and English both fluently. Throughout this interview Year remains pleasant and smiles constantly. Pleasant facial expressions are exhibited almost constantly. While speaking with her husband in her native tongue she speaks in a strong voice, rapidly, with a high pitch and to me sounds as if she runs her words together. When answering my questions in English she speaks in a clear much softer, slower, and more deliberate voice. Her understanding of basic English is very good however many times she looks to her husband to assist her in understanding my questions. At times she and I both resort to facial and body language to get our points across to each other. Many times throughout our meeting there were silent interruptions in which one or the other of us was attempting to get a point across to the other in understanding of the question/answer that was needed. .
             Year reports that she struggled with communication for the first few years here and found herself staying at home unless her husband was available to go with her. She has an education in finances and would like to one day get a job at a bank however fears that it is still difficult to understand the real meaning of words that are spoken and therefore has made a living selling items on eBay that her and her husband have bought at flea markets or yard sales. She reports that communication has become much easier however continues to rely on husband and body language when necessary.
             Assessment of Space Factors.
             Year, sits quite close to her husband and holds his hand almost throughout entire interview. She appears comfortable in conversation at a range of 15-20 inches. Sits calmly and appears relaxed. She reports that she is most comfortable in outside environments when there are people around and continues to prefer only going places with her husband.