Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Prince of Songkla University

Soft Power : The factors of the Republic of Korea’s development

Chinapha Isarankura Na Ayutthaya — 2023-12-27

This research aims to investigate the determinants that influenced the Republic of Korea's adoption of a soft power policy as a crucial strategy for national progress. In anticipation of challenges in economic development, the South Korean government incorporated the soft power approach as a fundamental component of the country's growth since the 1990s. This strategic shift empowered South Korea to transition from adversity to triumph, establishing itself as a global leader in cultural exports.

The study identified several factors motivating the South Korean government to implement soft power for economic development. The primary factor was the impact of the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997, prompting the government to utilize soft power to construct a new national image. The second factor encompassed geographical limitations and diplomatic considerations. The third factor involved leveraging soft power to globally promote products and consumption values. The fourth factor was the influence of successful entertainment industry models from the United States and Japan. Finally, population constraints constituted the fifth factor, compelling South Korea to adopt soft power as a developmental strategy.

The convergence of these factors led the South Korean government to embrace soft power as a comprehensive approach to national development, propelling the country from economic challenges to global success in cultural exports.

A study on Thai students’ use of the polysemic Korean verb '놓다/Nohda/

Juthamad Boonchoo — 2023-12-27

This research seeks to investigate the importance of acquiring and utilizing polysemic verbs in Korean among Thai students. The study, involving 86 Thai students, revealed that 97.7% acknowledged the significance and necessity of learning polysemic verbs. They expressed a desire to acquire knowledge of polysemic Korean verbs during their classes to employ them appropriately in diverse contexts. Furthermore, 88.3% of students expressed an interest in understanding the Thai meanings of these verbs for use in various contexts.

Regarding the proficiency in using the polysemic verb '놓다' both objective and subjective tests, comprising 30 items across 26 meanings with a passing criterion of 60%, indicated that Thai students could accurately translate the meanings of '놓다' into Thai in 16 questions. These accurate translations primarily pertained to the fundamental meanings of the verb, resembling the Thai concepts of "placing" or "releasing" various objects, both abstract and concrete. Students demonstrated the ability to discern and anticipate meanings based on context.

However, 1 4 questions were consistently answered incorrectly. The analysis revealed that questions answered incorrectly by over 60% of students often involved extended meanings of '놓다,' which Thai students struggled to translate accurately. Conversely, they correctly answered over 60% of the objective test questions, indicating their ability to distinguish the primary meanings of '놓다' and use them appropriately in various contexts.

Nevertheless, they found it challenging to discern and predict extended meanings, even when provided with example situations or specific contexts.

A Study of Features of Chinese Writing Errors Made by Chinese Majors Students at Thaksin University

Puangpaka Sitthichan — 2023-12-27

This study aimed to examine the characteristics of writing errors in Chinese made by 63 third-year Chinese majors enrolled in the Chinese Writing II course during the academic year 2020. Descriptive analysis was employed to scrutinize the students' writing errors in their final exams, and the analyzed data were presented using percentages. The results indicated that the identified error features could be categorized into four groups: 1) punctuation errors, with the misuse of commas being the most prevalent, 2) vocabulary errors, with the use of incorrect words being the most frequently observed, 3) errors related to Chinese sentence structures, particularly phrases modifying nouns, and 4) Chinese character writing errors, primarily involving missing lines in the characters.

Furthermore, it was observed that these errors could be largely attributed to differences between the students' mother tongue and the target language. To address these writing errors, the researcher recommended the implementation of teaching and learning approaches that emphasize the importance of correct Chinese writing. Teachers should design instructional methods covering both Chinese character writing and the development of overall Chinese writing skills. Additionally, these activities should not only enhance Chinese writing proficiency but also cultivate positive attitudes toward writing in Chinese.

“Ikiryou” in Murakami Haruki’s Killing Commendatore: Wounds and Memories from the War

Dusita Parinyapol — 2023-12-27

This article endeavors to analyze Murakami
Haruki's "Killing Commendatore," with a specific focus on
the concept of "Ikiryou" or "the disembodied spirit," a
surreal element that has manifested in Japanese literature
since ancient times. Notably, Murakami introduces this
concept in his novel, marking
a
contemporary
interpretation. Through the research, three dimensions of
"Ikiryou" emerge: (1) It unveils characters' profound
sentiments of attachment and resentment related to war;
(2) "Ikiryou" serves as a reflection of the enduring impact of
the Second World War, persisting as an integral part of
Japanese societal fabric; (3) Murakami's portrayal of
"Ikiryou" diverges from traditional representations in
Japanese literature, as contemporary "Ikiryou" is no longer
inherently malevolent. Consequently, addressing "Ikiryou"
does not involve expulsion or evasion; rather, aiding these
spirits in fulfilling their objectives signifies a path to
redemption, aligning with the author's intent to emphasize
that the younger generation should not disregard their historical legacy, particularly concerning wartime experiences.

Memories in the Entertainment Media of The Story ‘Four Reigns’

Kit Sodalee — 2023-12-27

The literary work "Four Reigns" captures a historical narrative spanning from the decline of King Rama V's reign to the era of King Rama VIII, undergoing a transition into a televised script. This evolution into a contemporary and widely embraced medium, the television drama, prompted an inquiry into the theme of memory within the original literary work (1953) and an examination of artificial memories presented in its televised adaptation, "Four Reigns" (2003). The study's findings reveal that the literary content of "Four Reigns" functions as a reservoir of memories intricately interwoven with Thai history and societal dynamics, effectively delineating cultural shifts from the reign of King Rama V to King Rama VIII. The prominence of "Four Reigns" in literary circles facilitated its adaptation into a televised script.Notably, the analysis emphasizes that memories embedded within television scripts are intentionally crafted as artificial constructs by mass media entities, strategically establishing connections with Thai political institutions. This purposeful manipulation of awareness significantly contributes to an enriched understanding of Thai societal history through the specific perspective of political institutions.

The Translation of Onomatopoeic Words in Nick McDonell’s The Council of Animals

Tongtip Poonlarp — 2023-12-27

This article aims at exploring techniques used in translating onomatopoeias and applying them to the English-to-Thai translation of these words in Nick McDonell’s The Council of Animals (2021), which features animals as the main characters. The study reveals that the translation techniques that work best with onomatopoeic words include the selection of target-text equivalents, which is found to be the most frequent option in the literature. This technique can be complemented by phonological means (e.g. addition of tone markers to increase pitch, or extra final consonants to lengthen the syllable) and transliteration. Creating a new onomatopoeic word through phonological means, as well as opting for loan words or transliteration are possible solutions. Omission, however, is deemed inappropriate in all cases as it will result in the loss of expressivity in the target text.