Linguistic diversity and national unity : language ecology in Thailand
Unlike other multi-ethnic nations, Thailand has maintained relative stability despite its 80 languages. In this study of the relations among politics, geography and language, Smalley shows how Thailand has maintained national unity through an elaborate social and linguistic hierarchy.
Print Book, English, cop. 1994
The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, cop. 1994
xv, 436 p. ; 23 cm
9780226762883, 9780226762890, 0226762882, 0226762890
912197733
Tables Figures Maps Acknowledgments Introduction: Thailand's Sociolinguistic Anomalies Pt. I: Languages of the Nation as a Whole 1: The Languages of Thailand at Home and Abroad 2: Standard Thai: Variations about a Norm 3: Social Dimensions of Standard Thai 4: Multidimensional Varieties: Ranges and Media Pt. II: Major Regional Languages 5: Kammuang (Northern Thai) 6: Lao (Northeastern Thai) 7: Paktay (Southern Thai) and Thaiklang (Central Thai) Pt. III: Marginal Regional Languages 8: Tai Yai (Shan), Sgaw (Karen), Phlow (Karen), plus Non-regional Phlong (Karen) 9: Northern Khmer plus Non-marginal Kuy 10: Pattani Malay Pt. IV: Other Language Categories 11: Development and Displacement of Tai Languages and Dialects 12: Languages of Thai Towns and Cities: Chinese Languages 13: Marginal Languages in the Hierarchy: Mon, Pray, plus Non-marginal Mal 14: Marginal Languages Adapting to the Hierarchy: Hmong (Meo, Miao) 15: Enclave Languages Pt. V: Trans-Language Issues 16: Writing and Education 17: Change and Development 18: Language and Ethnicity 19: Minority Problem as Thai Problem Appendix A: Languages in the Hierarchy Appendix B: Language Population Estimates Appendix C: Symbols Notes References Index