Basch, Bianca C.. Assessing the context for language development in Lahu Sheleh in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. Master's Degree(Linguistics). Payap University. Central Library. : Payap University, 2018.
Assessing the context for language development in Lahu Sheleh in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand
Abstract:
Since 2014 the Foundation for Applied Linguistics (FAL) has been implementing a Multilingual Education (MLE) project at a Thai government school in Ban Musser village, Omkoi District, Chiang Mai Province. The MLE project uses a new Thai-based orthography designed for Lahu Sheleh to teach literacy beginning from kindergarten. Using the introduction of a novel orthography to the Lahu Sheleh as an entrance point, the overall purpose of this thesis is to provide perspective that can help inform language development decisions for Lahu Sheleh, but the issues studied is relevant to other situations where there are competing script preferences within the language community. The thesis identifies cultural factors that mark the boundary of the Lahu Sheleh community in Chiang Mai Province in relation to the Lahu Na and assesses Lahu Sheleh language vitality using Lewis Sustainable Use Model (2010). The attitudes of Sheleh speakers towards their mother tongue and language development are also assessed. 61 Lahu Sheleh speakers from five Sheleh villages in Chiang Mai Province were interviewed using an Individual Sociolinguistic Questionnaire (ISLQ). Seven village leaders were interviewed using a Knowledgeable Insider Questionnaire (KIQ). Three MLE teachers were interviewed and a 436-item wordlist was elicited from one village. In brief the study found strong identity both distinctly Sheleh and more generally Lahu. Regarding vitality, Sheleh was found to be at EGIDS level 5 Developing.