สำนักราชบัณฑิตยสภา

58 The Journal of the Royal Institute of Thailand Volume III - 2011 58 Redefining çThainessé: Embracing Diversity, Preserving Unity Large language groups in border regions are not only facing the problem of language decline among the younger generation, but most also cannot access government services such as education or health. In general, ethnic minority peoples are considered, by outsiders, as slow and not likely to succeed in the modern development process. In some areas such as in Thailandûs Deep South where the majority of the population is Muslim Melayu-Thai speakers there is resistance to many government services. The language identity issue and cultural conflict are amongst the underlying factors that contribute to the violence and political unrest. According to the eight stages of Fishmanûs Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scales (GIDs), by which the degree of language endangerment can be identified, all languages in Thailand (large and small) with the exception of the official language (Standard Thai) are classified as being on the weak side for reversing language shift. Only Patani Malay, Northern Khmer, Lavua, and Mon can be put in stage 4 (strong side) if their mother tongue-based bilingual education which is now being conducted as action research in formal school system will be accepted. Stage 8 So few fluent speakers that community needs to re-establish language norms; often requires outside experts (e.g.,linguists). [Kasong,Sumre and Chung (Sa-oc)] Stage 7 Older generation uses language enthusiastically but children are not learning it. [Chong, Lawa(Gong),So(Thavung)] Stage 6 Language and identity socialization of children takes place in home and community. [Maniq (Sakai), Kensiw, Lua (Lavua), Urak Lawoi, Moklen, Mlabri, Mpi and Bisu] Stage 5 Language socialization involves extensive literacy, usually including non- formal L1 schooling or teaching L1 as a subjectéLocal Studiesé in school. [Chong, So(Thavung), Nyah Kur,] Stage 4 L1 used in childrenûs formal education in conjunction with national or official language. [Patani Malay, Northern Khmer, Lavua, and Mon] Stage 3 L1 used in workplaces of larger society, beyond normal L1 boundaries. Stage 2 Lower governmental services and local mass media are open to L1. Stage 1 L1 used at upper governmental level. Figure 3: 8 stages of language endangerment (levels of language vitality) according to Fishmanûs Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (GIDs) Side Weak Side Strong 54-75_mac9 5/3/12, 10:42 PM 58