PHUTHAI DIALECT: THE PROCESS OF INHERITING AND CREATING THE VALUE OF DIALECT IDENTITIES

Abstract

 The research entitled “The Process of Inheriting and Creating the Value of Dialect Identities” was the qualitative research aiming to study the use of Phuthai dialect; and to study the way of inheriting the Phuthai dialect and the process in creating the value of the identities of Phuthai dialect in Kuchinarai District, Kalasin Province. This research was the qualitative research with the sample group consisting of Phuthai people who were expert in this culture and tradition. The tools used for collecting data consisted of structure interview, descriptive analysis and Typology and Taxonomy. The result of this research was found as the followings: At the family level, the children were brought up and cultivated in using Phuthai dialect and culture and in practicing the tradition inherited from their ancestors such as language use, dress and belief etc. At the village level, the village leaders used Phuthai dialect to communicate in various activities and to promote the use of their own language focusing on the tradition and self-practice towards the good tradition of the tribe. Monks and religious leaders used pronunciation and accent of Phuthai dialect in communicating and building the atmosphere of sacred ritual that created the spiritual value. There were ritual practices such as funeral ceremony, merit-making dedicated to the deceased, and the rituals of 12 month-tradition etc. With regard to ritual beliefs following their ancestors including offering sacrifice to the village ghosts, rice-field ghosts, ancestral ghosts, this led to the practice following the tradition of Phuthai people such as worshiping spirits, dressing, building houses, self-practicing following the marriage ceremony and funeral ceremony of Phuthai people. The mentioned rituals and ceremonies had affected the belief and sustainably cultivated morals and ethics of Phuthai people.