RSUSCI-2021 & RSUSOC-2021

IN21-152 English code-mixing and code-switching in the Thai reality television show “The Face Thailand Season 3”

Presenter: Natnaree Songthada
English for Professions, Liberal Arts, Rangsit University

Abstract

This research aims to identify the linguistic forms of Thai and English code-mixing in the reality television show “The Face Thailand Seasons 3.” The study also focuses on the characteristics of nativization of English and explores reasons and motivations that influence the speaker’s use of English code-mixing in the Thai modeling context. The data were collected from the dialogue between participants from the first five episodes of The Face Thailand Season 3. The investigation did not include any loan words or borrowed words. One hundred and eighty-three tokens were analyzed, based on three frameworks, to classify the linguistic forms and the nativization process of English words as well as the speakers’ reasons and motivations for using them. In terms of the linguistic forms, English code-mixing with English nouns was found to be used the most frequently. This type of language is commonly used in the Thai entertainment industry, especially on Thai modeling reality television shows. As for the nativization process, the study found that the participants preferred to create new words by mixing English words with Thai words (hybridization) for conventional reasons. Regarding the speakers’ reasons and motivations, their discourses mostly reflected the listener’s language ability. They would appear to be more professional and earn respect for demonstrating their language ability throughout the show.

Citation format:

Songthada, N., & Tipayasuparat, D.. (2021). English code-mixing and code-switching in the Thai reality television show “The Face Thailand Season 3”. Proceeding in RSU International Research Conference, April 30, 2021. Pathum Thani, Thailand.