A comparison of Thai second person pronominal acquisition by Central Thai and Lahu children
Sukonthaman, Piyanat
This item is only available for download by members of the University of Illinois community. Students, faculty, and staff at the U of I may log in with your NetID and password to view the item. If you are trying to access an Illinois-restricted dissertation or thesis, you can request a copy through your library's Inter-Library Loan office or purchase a copy directly from ProQuest.
Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/23053
Description
Title
A comparison of Thai second person pronominal acquisition by Central Thai and Lahu children
Author(s)
Sukonthaman, Piyanat
Issue Date
1989
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Hill, Jacquetta
Department of Study
Education
Discipline
Education
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Education, Language and Literature
Language, Linguistics
Language
eng
Abstract
This study examined the acquisition of Standard Thai second person pronominals by second language learners (the Lahu children) compared with native speakers (the Central Thai children) of the same age. The pronominals were divided into familiar (Ta and Tb), formal (V1), and formal-respect (V2) pronominals. Changes in children's use of pronominals with age, as they become both linguistically and socially more competent, and how social factors affect pronominal usage, were also investigated. Field observations, interviews, and pronominal eliciting production tasks were the methods for data collection. A regression analysis and t-tests were employed in statistical analysis.
"Findings of the study showed that Central Thai children performed better than the Lahu children of the same age. However, the Lahu can perform better in certain cases when social factors are involved. The social factor ""exposure to Thai language use"" was found to be significant and more influential in the children's acquisition of Standard Thai second person pronominals than schooling. Overall, the Central Thai children's ability to use the pronominals progresses with age, assuming cross-sectional differences reflect actual longitudinal changes by the same cohort. This is not necessarily so for the second language learners. The Lahu children with more exposure to Thai language use, even if they were younger, could perform better than older children with less exposure. In conclusion, the acquisition of Standard Thai second person pronominals depends greatly upon a child's social environment, amount and kinds of exposure to social usage, age, and the complexity of the pronominal system itself."
Use this login method if you
don't
have an
@illinois.edu
email address.
(Oops, I do have one)
IDEALS migrated to a new platform on June 23, 2022. If you created
your account prior to this date, you will have to reset your password
using the forgot-password link below.
