Linguistic devices and the presentation of Thai children’s self-identity in books for children on National Children’s Day

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study Thai children’s self-identity as presented through books for children on National Children’s Day. The data was collected between 2012-2021 from ten books for children. The result of the analysis of linguistic devices which Thai children used to present their self-identity revealed nine strategies as follows: naming and calling names, conceptual metaphors, using verbs, claiming, presupposition, rhetorical questions, overstatement, adjective modifiers, and using idioms. Linguistic devices presented 12 factors contributing to Thai children’s self-identity as follows: they behave as a good person who is honored and praised; they have a duty to study; they have a volunteer and self-sacrificing spirit; they are talented, patient; and diligent, they are friendly to others; they have unity together; they have love and gratitude for their benefactors; they live a life of self-sufficiency and saving; they are honest, they maintain cultural traditions and follow social regulations; they are courteous; and they have loyalty to the nation, religion, and the king. The identities presented in this article reflect that Thai children meet the expectations of society which are consistent with their self-identity through the presentation of current occurrence in society and leads to compliance as established.