Abstract:
The study of Phuthai language status in Kuchinarai District, Kalasin Province, a Tai
Language Family has the following objectives: first, to evaluate the Phuthai linguistic
repertoire; second, to investigate language attitudes of the Phuthai people. This study
concentrated on linguistic background, ability of the Phuthai people to understand and speak
Phuthai, Isan, and Thai, and the language attitudes of the Phuthai people toward their own
dialect and their own ethnic group. The data was collected using a Likert scale questionnaire
delivered to 400 people. The study was organized on the basis of an independent variable:
age; adolescence, young adult, adult, and old age.
The findings indicated that the Phuthai people in all age groups can speak 3
languages: Phuthai, Isan, and Thai, they speak Phuthai as a first language, and speak Phuthai
fluently. As for the study of ability in understanding and speaking Phuthai, Isan, and Thai, It
was revealed that all Phuthai in every age group have full professional proficiency in
understanding and speaking Phuthai, and understanding Thai, but they have good
proficiency in understanding and speaking Isan, and speaking Thai.
The study found that Phuthai people have a positive attitude towards both their own
language and ethnic group. The hypothesis testing indicates that there is a significant
difference in attitudes toward their own language and ethnic group depending upon the age
variable.
As to the results of the study, the researcher predicts that the status of Phuthai
language in Kuchinarai District, Kalasin Province will survive in the future because Phuthai
people still maintain their own language and have a positive attitude toward their own
language and ethnicity.