Language Strategies in Narrative Songs Showing the Identities of Southern Thai People

Abstract

            This research aims to analyze the language strategies in narrative songs showing the identities of southern Thai people. There are 2 main studies. Firstly, the strategies used to represent southern Thai people identities. It was found that there are 9 linguistic strategies used in the songs; 1) dialect 2) banter or joke 3) natives’ lifestyle 4) emotive terms 5) kinship terms 6) pun 7) foreign language 8) final particles, and 9) curse words. Secondly the southern Thai peoples’ identities represented by these 14 linguistic strategies include: 1) They love justice 2) They have sense of humor 3) They are friendly 4) They are solidarity 5) They love their homeland 6) They are adjustable 7) They are nature-loving 8) They are diligent for knowledge 9) They believe in fate 10) They believe in superstition 11) They are sociable 12) They are crafty 13) They like gambling, and 14) They respect elder.