Abstract:
This study aims at analyzing the relationship between language and ideologies in the discourse of fortune-telling from the approach of Critical Discourse Analysis by using Faircloughs (1995) Three dimensional frameworkThe findings show that fourteen linguistic strategies are adopted in the fortune-telling texts to construct and represent various ideologies, such as lexical selection, collocation, presupposition, modality, reasoning, and using conditional sentence. In terms of function, those linguistic strategies used the fortune-tellers to serve 3 functions that is 1) presenting the set of common ground 2) giving directions and 3) supporting their advice. The analysis reveals that four ideologies are repeatedly presented in the discourse of fortune-telling the fatalistic ideology, the ideology of happiness, the ideology regarding desirable people and the ideology regarding social class. As for the analysis of discourse practice, fortune-telling is a communication in which the audiences have accepted the power of fate and tend to believe the fortune tellers. Ideological concepts represented in the discourse of fortune-telling are likely to influence the mind of the audiences. Owing to the media, fortune-telling can reach a wide group of audience more easily. Also, it is more likely that the ideologies represented can influence people in the society in a wider scope.In terms of socio-cultural practice, the ideologies conveyed through fortune-telling discourses are influenced by many social notions and values such as the belief in astrology and fortune-telling, as well as the concepts on collectivism, seniority, social class, patriarchy, the Buddhist notions, and consumerism. On the other hand, these ideologies may have certain influence upon Thai peoples ways of thinking regarding the definition of a life full of happiness as a desirable life; the representation of ideal society and desirable people; and the construction of interpersonal relationship in the society. In conclusion, this study reveals that fortune-telling discourse has served in socialization and social organization process in Thai society. The audiences of this discourse may not be aware of such roles. On the other hand, the reproduction of Fatalistic ideology may cause people to just accept problems in their lives without trying to find solutions on their own and view social inequality as normal condition of life which is predestined by fate. However, it may also enable some people to handle some problems in their lives