This document summarizes a presentation on the role of language in shaping ethnic identity among Malay Muslims in southern Thailand. The presentation explores how Malay language constitutes an important part of maintaining Malay identity, while examining the tensions with promoting a Thai national identity. Through focus groups, the study found that Malay language ability and use of the language within families strongly contributes to a sense of Malay ethnicity. While religion, geography, and shared ancestry initially formed the Malay Muslim community, language has become the key binding factor in upholding separate ethnic identity. The presentation recommends further research on preserving Malay culture and identity through continued use of the Malay language and Jawi script.

1. LANGUAGE AS AN ETHNIC
DENOMINATOR IN SOUTHERN THAILAND
Presented at:
International Conference on Asian Studies (ICAS
2012)
26th-27th July 2012, Negombo, Sri Lanka
by :
Munirah Yamirudeng (PhD)
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Prince of Songkhla University,
Pattani - Thailand

2. Introduction
Objective
Methodology
Questions and Procedures of the study
Brief Review on the Malay Muslims of Southern Provinces
Findings and Conclusion
Recommendations
CONTENTS

3. INTRODUCTION
one of the most important articulations
of ethnic identity
Language is generally regarded as

4. Lambert (1980)
communicating in a language
other than
that of one's own group
a sense of not belonging to the
same culture as one's own
ethnic-heritage group
Can lead
to

5. CONTINUED….
One's sense of ethnic identity may
therefore be threatened or lessened in
some way; this is reflected in particular
among groups that occupy low-power
positions in terms of socioeconomic
status when their members use the
dominant group's language.
(Lambert, 1979, 1980; Giles & Johnson, 1981).

6. CONTINUED….
As a minority people living in the political
sphere of Thailand as a nation, it is inevitably
that the Malay Muslims will come into contact
with the culture and language of the majority,
particularly when the central government
exerts its control through its various
institutions upon the Malay Muslim society.HOW

7. Socializing
Integrating
Thai language
Thai educational systems
The government
an effective mechanism
Malays
Thai
national life
Thaisezation
CONTINUED….

8. OBJECTIVE
To explore the extent to which Malay
language constitutes a vital element in the
maintenance of Malay identity in southern
Thailand.
To examine the contradiction confronted
by Malay language Vis-à-vis Thai national
Identity

9. MAIN QUESTION
To what extent does Malay
language ability is significantly
attributes towards the shaping of
Malay ethnic identity among the
Malays of southern Thailand?

10. METHODOLOGY
Questions of language and identity are related to people’s
subjective experiences and feelings, a qualitative
methodology is especially appropriate for arriving at a
better understanding of these questions.
(Weiss, 1994:3-14; Lane, 1969, 1972; Blauner, 1989).
Focus group
Malay Muslims
Yala province.
Generation
Age

11. QUESTIONS AND PROCEDURES OF THE STUDY
The focus groups sessions were audio, written and transcribed
verbatim
“How do you define yourself in terms of ethnic,
cultural, and social identity?”
“What do you think of language as a
component/part of your ethnicity and cultural
presentation of self?”
“How does Thai language fit in your ethnic and
cultural identity?”
1
2
3

12. BRIEF REVIEW ON THE MALAY MUSLIMS OF
SOUTHERN PROVINCES
Chinese
Muslims
Between 4 and 6 million in a
population of about 62 million
citizens
make up over 70 percent of the
population in the three southern
provinces
Malay Muslims
Pattan
i
Yala
Narathiw
at

13. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION
Religion
Geographical location
Common ancestors
Malay language .
The characteristics responsible for initial
growth of the Malay Muslim community
but, there is a
stronger
element which
is valid as
binding force
for the
community
and the factor
of their identity
as a separate
ethnic group

14. CONTINUED….
The traditional joint and extended families are still
common among Malay Muslims
More interesting to find that ethnic identity is more
sustain and strong in families whose Malay language is
used as medium of instruction among its family
members.
The history of the Malay Muslim confirmed that the use
of Malay has been the key factor in maintaining ties with
the Malay world
language was an important part of these Malays’
understanding of their identity.
The continued existence of ‘madrasahs’ or religious
schools are also an avenue where Malay language is
used widely

15. It is hopes that this study will stimulate interest
in the community of Malay Muslims in Thailand
as well as contribute to the ongoing research
into Malay culture and Identity.
Research possibilities can be seen in the use of
Jawi in all areas of life how Malay Muslims still
preserve the Malay language in Jawi written
form. Islam and its role in preserving Malay
ethnicity in South Thailand is another topic for
future exploration.
RECOMMENDATION….