Journal of Variety in Language and Literature

Representation of the West in International Travel Nirat Literature

Panyawat Chayawan — 2026-08-31

The research on the Representation of the West in International Travel Nirat Literature uses the concepts of Representation and Occidentalism to study the Representation of the West in International Travel Nirat Literature. The results show that the representations of the West appearing in Nirat literature include 1) Westerners: the civilized 2) Western education: the model of modern knowledge 3) Western cities: centers of material prosperity 4) exotic and novel representations of nature and 5) Western art and culture as "wonders." These representations are a gaze back at the West through Occidentalism, by the poets' construction of meaning from what they saw as new and familiar, combined with their own concepts within the context of Thai society. At the same time, even though the poets admired Western progress, they criticized the West to diminish values that contradicted Thai morality, through cultural negotiation and affirmation of Thai identity.

The Setting in Prapassorn Sewikul's Novel Chinese Rose from the Perspective of Readers Whose Homeland Is China

Yuan Zhang — 2026-08-31

This research aims to study the settings and the setting presentation techniques in the novel Chinese Rose by Prapassorn Sevikul, employing the critical framework of setting and atmosphere. The research results reveal that the settings in the novel can be divided into two categories: 1) cultural and social settings, and 2) natural settings. The cultural and social settings can be classified into three locations: a shrine, an orphanage, and a casino. Meanwhile, the natural settings can be classified into two types: authentic natural settings and man-made natural settings. The setting presentation techniques are divided into two types: presentation through the author's narrative descriptions and presentation through the characters' dialogues. The characteristics and presentation techniques of the settings possess realism throughout the story, helping readers visualize the scenes and excellently reflecting the author's literary craftsmanship.

Arendt: Statelessness, Right to Have Rights and a Critique of Human Rights

Kasem Phenpinant — 2026-08-31

This article is not only to explore Hannah Arendt’s major concepts: statelessness, stateless people, rightlessness and the right to have rights, but it also characterizes the statelessness as one of the defining phenomena in contemporary history. This is originated from the decline of nation-state, which is unable to protect the rights of its citizen. Moreover, the article argues that statelessness entails the rightlessness, whereas stateless people lose their dwelling and the human condition. This consequently leads Arendt to introduce the right to rights, to secure the human dignity, and consequently critiquing human rights that fail to guarantee the humans and their rights.

Analysis of Thai Animal-Related Idioms Classified by Gender and Age

Nuengruethai Chavanalikikorn — 2026-08-31

This research aims to analyze Thai idioms related to animals that are used specifically to refer to males and females according to age. It is a documentary study that collects data from Thai Idioms by Klaisuban (2012) and Thai Idioms, Proverbs, and Sayings Using Animals as Comparisons by Sorsottikul (1999). The researcher applies the criteria of The Royal Institute (2013), Kanchanakphan (1996), Chaisaphawatham (2006), Sorsottikul (1999), and Pramot Na Ayutthaya (1997), who explain the meanings and origins of Thai idioms, as the framework for analyzing Thai idioms related to animals that are used specifically for males and females according to age.
The results of the study reveal that there are a total of 17 Thai idioms related to animals that are used specifically to refer to males and females according to age. These can be categorized into idioms referring to males and idioms referring to females. 1. Thai idioms related to animals used specifically for males can be divided into three age groups: 1.1 Unspecified age 1.2 Young adulthood 1.3 Old age 2. Thai idioms related to animals used specifically for females are found in only one age group, which is young adulthood.

Code-Switching Between English and Standard Thai by Opposition Politicians in the Censure Debate Against the Prime Minister

Watcharapong Khotnarin — 2026-08-31

Code-switching in political discourse reflects the power, credibility, and image of the speaker. The study English–Standard Thai Code-Switching among Opposition Politicians in the No-Confidence Debate against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra had two objectives: 1) to study the characteristics of English–Standard Thai code-switching used by opposition politicians in the parliamentary no-confidence debate against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and 2) to analyze the functions of English–Standard Thai code-switching used by opposition politicians in the parliamentary no-confidence debate against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. This research applied the framework of Ho (2007) on linguistic units and Gumperz (1982) on communicative functions. The data were collected from transcripts of the no-confidence debate against the Prime Minister from archived video clips published on the YouTube platform. The results showed that there were five types of English–Thai code-switching: letters of the alphabet, lexical words, proper nouns, phrases, and short forms. The use of letters of the alphabet occurred most frequently, while short forms occurred least frequently. There were four communicative functions of English–Standard Thai code-switching: 1) quotation, 2) addressee specification, 3) reiteration, and 4) message qualification. The findings indicate that English functions as a strategic tool to add informational weight and international tone to the opposition’s utterances.

Development Of Thai Reading and Writing Skills in The Ko-Ka Rule Spelling' Through CIRC Cooperative Learning Technique Combined with Skill Practice Exercises For Grade 1 Students

่Jaruwan Truktrongram — 2026-08-31

The objectives of this research were: 1) to study the reading and writing achievement of Thai words in the “Mae Ko Kai” category among Grade 1 students after learning through the Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC) technique combined with skill practice exercises, compared with the 70 percent criterion; and 2) to study the students’ satisfaction with this learning approach. The sample consisted of seven Grade 1 students from Ban Non Peka School, under the Office of Buriram Primary Educational Service Area 4, during the first semester of the 2025 academic year. The experiment was conducted over a period of five hours. The research instruments were: 1) seven lesson plans, 2) five sets of skill practice exercises, 3) a reading aloud and spelling test, and 4) a student satisfaction questionnaire. The study employed an experimental research design. The data were analyzed using percentage, mean, and standard deviation. The results revealed that: 1) the students’ post-learning reading and writing achievement scores were higher than the 70 percent criterion, and 2) the overall student satisfaction toward learning through the CIRC technique combined with skill practice exercises was at the highest level.

Linguistic Strategies in the Construction of the Ideology of Childhood in Thai Rap Discourse: A Case Study of “The Rapper” Program

Alissara Kaewckanate — 2026-08-31

This research article aims to analyze the linguistic strategies employed in the construction of child ideologies as manifested in the rap discourse from The Rapper Seasons 1 and 2, utilizing the framework of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). The researcher compiled data from rap lyrics broadcast in the aforementioned program, totaling 186 songs, selected through purposive sampling to include only those reflecting youth perspectives on the educational system, regulations, and societal norms. The findings reveal two principal ideologies: (1) the ideology of the "good child" and (2) the ideology of the "bad child." These discourses are articulated through eight key linguistic strategies: the use of names and nominal appellations to enact power in identity construction; the deployment of presuppositions and modal verbs to evoke states of subjugation; the invocation of metaphors to establish hierarchies; the utilization of negative constructions to dismantle myths; the application of topoi to expose invisible power practices; the employment of transitivity to reproduce top-down power structures; and the use of irony to reflect power conflicts and ideological struggles within Thai society from a linguistic perspective.

Discourse that fosters the learner’s desirable characteristic of being eager to learn as reflected in Thai recitation texts

Thaksin Kaowprasoet — 2026-08-31

This study sought to investigate the discourse that promotes students' learning-oriented characteristics as reflected in Thai recitation texts based on the Basic Education Core Curriculum B.E. 2551 (2008). The study followed a documentary research methodology. The research documents included 15 Thai recitation texts issued by the Ministry of Education and used in primary school textbooks under the Basic Education Core Curriculum B.E. 2551 (2008). These texts were: The Cat (Maeo-Miao), The Little One (Dek-Noi), Knowledge is Vital, My Dear (Wi-cha-na-chao), The Balancing Egg (Tang-khai-lom Tom-khai-kin), The Bantam Rooster (Kai-chae), Virtue and Vice (Khwam-dee Khwam-chua), Sut Sakhorn’s Entry into Karavek from Phra Aphai Mani (Phra-A-phai-ma-nee Ton Sut-sa-khon Khao-mueang Ka-ra-wek), Knowledge is Like Merchandise (Wi-cha Muean Sin-kha), The Birth of Phlai Ngam from Khun Chang Khun Phaen (Khun-chang Khun-phaen Ton Kam-noet Phlai Ngam), The Proverbial Verses of Loka-niti (Khlong Lok-ka-nit), Speech is Primary, Calculation is Secondary, Literature is Tertiary, and Integrity is the Seal (Bot Pak-pen-ek, Lek-pen-tho, Nang-sue-pen-tree, Chua-dee-pen-tra), He Who Knows Well, Prospers (Phu-ru-dee Pen Phu-cha-roen), The Victor (Phu-cha-na), The Way of Thai Children (Wi-thee Dek-thai), and The Sun (Duang-ta-wan).

The findings revealed that the discourse promoting students' learning-oriented characteristics in these Thai recitation texts could be classified into the following four primary groups: 1) The that depicts the outcomes of diligence and perseverance in learning as positive and beneficial; 2) the literature that emphasizes learning as a means of achieving good outcomes in the future; 3) The literature that constructs learning as a valuable social asset; and 3) the literature that portrays learning as a responsibility that students are expected to fulfill. The language in these texts is designed to highlight core values through meaningful patterns and underlying messages. When students connect with these values, they tend to see their own roles more clearly and develop a natural motivation to learn for themselves and for the betterment of the country.

English Speaking Learning Strategies Employed by English Major Students

Nawamin Prachanant — 2026-08-31

English speaking strategies are very important for learning speaking skills. This study aimed to investigate the English speaking language strategies used, problems on English speaking learning and ways to solve the problems on English speaking learning of English major students. The samples were 106 participants: 46 first year Business English major students and 60 first year English Art students from Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Buriram Rajabhat University. They study Listening and Speaking Course at the first semester of 2026 academic year. They were selected by using the Table of Krejcie and Morgan, stratified random sampling and simple random sampling, respectively. In addition, the qualitative samples were 10 interviewees: 5 first year Business English major students and 5 first year English Art students. They were purposively selected from their lowest scores of the questionnaire of each group. The findings were as follows:

The English major students used the English speaking learning strategies in overall at the high level. When considering each strategy, it was found that social strategies, compensation strategies, affective strategies, metacognitive strategies, and memory strategies were at the high level while the cognitive strategies was at the moderate level.
The English major students reflected on three various obstacles that hindered their speaking fluency: linguistic and vocabulary limitations, psychological and affective factors, and listening and pronunciation difficulties.
The ways to solve those problems of English major students’ speaking learning were the use of affective and compensation strategies, self-practice and media-based learning, and social strategies.

Attitude towards love of the female protagonist Thai translation of the Chinese novel “Her City”

Wang Fengmei — 2026-08-31

This research aims to study the attitudes towards love of three female protagonists of three different ages in the translated work “Her City” by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. It analyzes the characteristics of their attitudes towards love and the key factors influencing them. The study found four prominent attitudes towards love among the female characters: love for their children, filial piety, love for their close friend (Guimi), and love for their husbands. Factors influencing these attitudes include values, life experiences, personal traits, and the relationships and friendships between the three characters. This highlights the search for self-worth and emotional refuge among modern women, presenting the diversity and realism of women's perspectives on love within the context of neorealism.

The Results of Developing English Reading Skills for Grade 4 Students Through Cooperative Learning LT Teaching technique Combined With Language Games

Paphanin Suksamran — 2026-08-31

The objectives of this research were:1 to compare reading skill and giving English word meaning of Prathomsuksa 4 students learning by using cooperative learning, LT teaching technique combined with language games, before and after instruction. and 2 study the satisfaction of Prathomsuksa 4 students towards learning by LT teaching technique combined with language games. The sample group consisted of 24 Prathomsuksa 4 students in the second semester of the 2025 academic year, selected by using cluster random sampling. The research instruments were: 1 six lesson plans, 2 a test of 20 words for pronunciation and giving meanings, and 3) a 10-item questionnaire asking for satisfaction with learning English by LT teaching technique combined with language games. The data was analyzed by using statistical methods including percentages, means, standard deviations and Dependent sample t – test. The results revealed that: 1 The reading skill and giving meaning ability of Prathomsuksa 4 students after learning English by using a cooperative learning, LT teaching technique combined with language games were significantly higher than before learning at the .05 statistical significance level. 2 The students’ satisfaction with LT teaching technique combined with language games as a whole was at the highest level.

Elements of Semiology by Roland Barthes

Somsak Phansiri — 2026-08-31

Roland Barthes’ semiotic theory, articulated in Elements of Semiology, extends Ferdinand de Saussure’s linguistic framework into the analysis of cultural and social phenomena. Barthes positions semiotics as a methodological tool for examining both linguistic and non-linguistic sign systems, including clothing, food, and media. His model is structured around four key dimensions. First, the distinction between langue and parole underscores the dialectical relationship between language as a collective system and its individual usage. Second, the pairing of signifier and signified demonstrates the arbitrariness of meaning, while allowing for its expansion into cultural codes. Third, the dual axes of syntagm and system reveal how meaning emerges through both sequential arrangement and associative relations. Finally, the differentiation between denotation and connotation highlights the layered nature of meaning, shaped not only by literal reference but also by ideology and cultural resonance. Collectively, Barthes’ framework situates semiotics as a comprehensive approach to understanding language, culture, and media, and continues to inform contemporary scholarship in linguistics, cultural theory, and communication studies.

Mechanisms of Melodic Design in Thai Singing based on Phonetic Principles

Pachara Pikatpairee — 2026-08-31

This article investigates the mechanisms of melodic design in Thai singing through the application of phonetic principles, aiming to elucidate the relationship between tonal features and musical melody within the context of Thai as a tonal language. The analysis reveals that maintaining congruence between the directional movement of lexical tones and melodic contours is crucial for both communicative clarity and auditory aesthetics. Thai songwriters tend to avoid contrary motion between tones and melody, even though exact alignment is not required for every syllable. Furthermore, phonetic variation has been observed in the high tone, which increasingly shifts from a contour tone toward a level tone. These findings underscore that the design of Thai melodies must take into account the structural properties of tones and syllables as defined by phonetic principles, thereby preserving linguistic identity while achieving coherence between linguistic communication and vocal performance.

Development of Handbook for being a professional MC using Practical Training Method: a case study of Student Leaders at Chiang Rai Rajabhat University

rungroj tonpradit — 2026-08-31

This research aimed to develop a professional Master of Ceremonies (MC) handbook, to enhance the professional MC skills of student leaders at Chiang Rai Rajabhat University, and to evaluate their satisfaction with the developed handbook. The findings of the study are as follows 1) The professional MC handbook demonstrated an overall efficiency of 84.90/91.80, which exceeded the specified 80/80 criterion. 2) The student leaders' achievement through the practical training model, the post-development mean score (X) = 73.46 was significantly higher than the pre-development mean score (X) = 61.88 with an average improvement of 11.58. The t-test analysis yielded a result of 39.73, indicating that the post-development achievement was significantly higher than the pre-development stage at a 0.05 level of statistical significance. 3) The overall satisfaction of the student leaders toward the development of the professional MC handbook was at the highest level (X) = 4.75, S.D. = 0.43. The most satisfying aspects were the inclusion of clear script examples and the practicality of the techniques, which could be immediately applied to real-world scenarios (X) = 4.84, S.D. = 0.37.

The Development of English Reading Comprehension Ability through Cooperative Reading Strategies Combined with Folktales for Grade 3 Students at Thainiyomsongkhro School

Praitawan Preedachotchawan — 2026-08-31

This action research aimed to (1) compare the English reading comprehension of Grade 3 students before and after instruction using Collaborative Strategic Reading (CSR) combined with folktales, (2) examine students’ collaborative group work behaviors during the instruction, and (3) investigate their attitudes toward English. The study addressed the need for an instructional approach that integrates explicit reading strategies, peer collaboration, and age-appropriate narrative texts to support English reading comprehension among young Thai EFL learners. The participants were 30 Grade 3/4 students at Thainiyomsongkhro School under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration during the second semester of the 2025 academic year, selected through purposive sampling. The research instruments consisted of two lesson plans integrating CSR with the folktales Jack and the Beanstalk and Little Red Riding Hood, an English reading comprehension test, a group work behavior observation form, and an attitude questionnaire. The study employed a one-group pretest–posttest design within the action research process. Quantitative data were analyzed using percentage, mean, standard deviation, and a dependent-samples t-test, while observational data were used to reflect on students’ collaborative behaviors during the learning activities. The results showed that (1) students’ English reading comprehension scores after the instruction were significantly higher than their pre-instruction scores at the .05 level; (2) their overall collaborative group work behavior was at a good level (M = 3.19); and (3) their overall attitude toward English was at the highest level (M = 4.60). Reflection on the instructional process indicated that the integration of CSR and folktales provided opportunities for students to exchange ideas, assist their peers, and participate in collaborative reading activities. Students demonstrated particularly strong participation in presentation and discussion activities, whereas planning, role allocation, and active engagement in group tasks remained areas requiring further support. These findings suggest that integrating structured reading strategies with collaborative interaction and age-appropriate narrative texts can support both English reading comprehension and participation in collaborative learning among young EFL learners.

Editorial Note

Bunsanoe Triwiset — 2026-08-31

Editorial

The Tenth Year, the Twenty-Ninth Issue: Moving Forward,

Striving to create value in scholarship and creativity,

Emphasizing language and culture as central concerns,

Opening intellectual spaces for exchange and reflection.

This issue of Journal of Variety in Language and Literature marks the tenth year, Volume 10, Number 2 (May–August 2026), and is the twenty-ninth in the series. It represents the continuing journey of the scholarly network in language and cultural studies. Within this issue, fifteen diverse articles are presented, which may be grouped into three categories as follows:

Literary Analysis and Criticism
Representation of the West in International Travel Nirat Literature
The Setting in Prapassorn Sevikul's Novel Chinese Rose from the Perspective of Readers Whose Homeland Is China
Arendt: Statelessness, Right to Have Rights and a Critique of Human Rights
Attitude towards love of the female protagonist Thai translation of the Chinese novel “Her City”
Mechanisms of Melodic Design in Thai Singing based on Phonetic Principles: A Case Study of the Song Ru Mai Ja by Tattoo Colour from the Album Hong Ser

Language Studies, Linguistic Strategies, and Folklore
An Analysis of Animal-Related Thai Idioms Used Specifically for Males and Females by Age
Code-Switching Between English and Standard Thai by Opposition Politicians in the Censure Debate Against the Prime Minister
Linguistic Strategies in the Construction of the Ideology of Childhood in Thai Rap Discourse: A Case Study of “The Rapper” Program
Elements of Semiology by Roland Barthes
Communication and Thai Language Pedagogy
Development Of Thai Reading and Writing Skills in The Ko-Ka Rule Spelling' Through CIRC Cooperative Learning Technique Combined with Skill Practice Exercises for Grade 1 Students
Discourse that fosters the learner’s desirable characteristic of being eager to learn as reflected in Thai recitation texts
Exploring English-speaking Learning Strategies and Difficulties among First-Year English-major Students at Buriram Rajabhat University
The Effects of Collaborative Strategic Reading (CSR) and Folktales on English Reading Comprehension of Thai EFL Primary Students
Development of Handbook for being a professional MC using Practical Training Method: a case study of Student Leaders at Chiang Rai Rajabhat University
The Results of Developing English Reading Skills for Grade 4 Students Through Cooperative Learning LT Teaching technique

Combined With Language GamesWe extend our gratitude to all contributors for submitting high-quality articles, thereby offering readers a wide range of choices aligned with their interests and specific needs.

Fifteen narratives, each with distinct flavor,

Selected works of merit, thoughtfully composed.

Inviting reflection, inspiring development,

Language as a medium, guiding diverse achievements.

Bunsanoe Triwiset

Editor in Chief