LANGUAGE AS AN ETHNIC DENOMINATOR IN SOUTHERN THAILAND

Presented at:

International Conference on Asian Studies (ICAS 2012)

26th-27th July 2012, Negombo, Sri Lanka

by :

Munirah Yamirudeng (PhD)Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Prince of Songkhla University,Pattani - Thailand

Introduction

Objective

Methodology

Questions and Procedures of the study

Brief Review on the Malay Muslims of Southern Provinces

Findings and Conclusion

Recommendations

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

one of the most important articulations of ethnic identity

Language is generally regarded as

Lambert (1980)

communicating in a language

other than

that of one's own group

a sense of not belonging to the

same culture as one's own

ethnic-heritage group

Can lead

to

CONTINUED….

One's sense of ethnic identity may

therefore be threatened or lessened in

some way; this is reflected in particular

among groups that occupy low-power

positions in terms of socioeconomic

status when their members use the

dominant group's language.

(Lambert, 1979, 1980; Giles & Johnson, 1981).

CONTINUED….

As a minority people living in the political

sphere of Thailand as a nation, it is inevitably

that the Malay Muslims will come into contact

with the culture and language of the majority,

particularly when the central government

exerts its control through its various

institutions upon the Malay Muslim society.HOW

Socializing

Integrating

Thai language

Thai educational systems

The government

an effective mechanism

Malays

Thai

national life

Thaisezation

CONTINUED….

OBJECTIVE

To explore the extent to which Malay language constitutes a vital element in the maintenance of Malay identity in southern Thailand.

To examine the contradiction confronted by Malay language Vis-à-vis Thai national Identity

MAIN QUESTION

To what extent does Malay

language ability is significantly

attributes towards the shaping of

Malay ethnic identity among the

Malays of southern Thailand?

METHODOLOGY

Questions of language and identity are related to people’s

subjective experiences and feelings, a qualitative

methodology is especially appropriate for arriving at a

better understanding of these questions.

(Weiss, 1994:3-14; Lane, 1969, 1972; Blauner, 1989).

Focus groupMalay Muslims Yala province.

Generation

Age

QUESTIONS AND PROCEDURES OF THE STUDY

The focus groups sessions were audio, written and transcribed

verbatim

“How do you define yourself in terms of ethnic, cultural, and social identity?”

“What do you think of language as a component/part of your ethnicity and cultural presentation of self?”

“How does Thai language fit in your ethnic and cultural identity?”

1

2

3

BRIEF REVIEW ON THE MALAY MUSLIMS OF

SOUTHERN PROVINCES

Chinese

Muslims

Between 4 and 6 million in a population of about 62 million citizens

make up over 70 percent of the population in the three southern provinces

Malay Muslims Pattan

i

Yala

Narathiw

at

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

Religion

Geographical location

Common ancestors

Malay language .

The characteristics responsible for initial

growth of the Malay Muslim community

but, there is a

stronger

element which

is valid as

binding force

for the

community

and the factor

of their identity

as a separate

ethnic group

CONTINUED….

The traditional joint and extended families are still common among Malay Muslims

More interesting to find that ethnic identity is more sustain and strong in families whose Malay language is used as medium of instruction among its family members.

The history of the Malay Muslim confirmed that the use of Malay has been the key factor in maintaining ties with the Malay world

language was an important part of these Malays’ understanding of their identity.

The continued existence of ‘madrasahs’ or religious schools are also an avenue where Malay language is used widely

It is hopes that this study will stimulate interest

in the community of Malay Muslims in Thailand

as well as contribute to the ongoing research

into Malay culture and Identity.

Research possibilities can be seen in the use of

Jawi in all areas of life how Malay Muslims still

preserve the Malay language in Jawi written

form. Islam and its role in preserving Malay

ethnicity in South Thailand is another topic for

future exploration.

RECOMMENDATION….