The Usage of Personal Pronouns in Isan Thai-Phuan Ethnic Group

Abstract

The research aimed to study the usage of personal pronouns in Thai-Phuan Ethnic group. The study investigates the usage of personal pronouns in three Thai Phuan Ethnic groups dividing by age ranges which are 15-25 years old, 35-45 years old, and 55-65 years old. The research area of this study was at Buhom Village of Chiang Khan District in Loei Province, Thon Village of Ban Phue Disdrict in Udon Thani Province, and Pho Tak Village of Pho Tak District in Nong Kai Province. The data was collected by questionnaires, informant interview, and video recording. The results showed that Thai Phuan people totally used 193 personal pronouns which can be classified into four categories as follows: 1) There were 42 first person pronouns; 2) There were 95 second person pronouns; and 3) There were 56 third person pronouns. Moreover, the data indicated that Isan Thai-Phuan employed person pronouns according to cultural contents such as occasion, gender, age, relatives, familiarity, politeness, and feeling expressions. These points can be explained as follows: According to the usage in occasions, it consisted of two types which were formality and informality. Genders involved males and females. Ages can be divided as periods of 15-25 years old, 35-45 years old, and 55-65 years old. For relatives, there were close relatives and unrelated relatives. Familiarity included familiarity and unfamiliarity. Politeness were showing politeness and not showing politeness. Feeling expressions consisted of satisfaction and dissatisfaction. In addition, the results illustrated that Isan Thai-Phuan whose age ranges were 15-25 years old, 35-45 years old, and 55-65 years old remained the usage of Isan Thai-Phuan personal pronouns. Those were first person pronouns, second person pronouns, and third person pronouns. Besides, Isan Thai-Phuan ethnic group also applied the usage of Loei personal pronouns, Thai-Isaan dialect, and Central-Thai dialect altogether.