A Comparative Study of Ethical and Moral Worldviews in Thai and Chinese Idioms
Keywords:
Ethical and moral worldviews, Thai and Chinese, IdiomsAbstract
The purposes of this research are 1) to study ethical and moral worldviews in Thai and Chinese idioms, and 2) to compare Thai and Chinese ethical and moral worldviews reflected through idioms. In this qualitative research, Thai and Chinese idioms that reflect ethical and moral worldviews according to the 2011 Thai Qualifications Framework for Higher Education (TQF) in Thai language were specifically analyzed. The research found that Thai idioms reflecting positive attitudes towards work and responsibility contributed the largest proportion (68%), followed by those reflecting honesty, discipline, and respect for organization and social conventions (24%). The third frequent type is Thai idioms reflecting consciousness and habits of prioritizing public interests over one’s own (6%), while Thai idioms reflecting pride in Thai language, Thainess, and positive attitude towards Thai culture made up the smallest proportion (2%). Chinese idioms reflect most frequently the ethical and moral worldviews on honesty, discipline, and respect for organization and social conventions (35%). In second place are idioms that reflect positive attitudes towards work and responsibility (30%), followed by pride in Chinese language, Chineseness, and positive attitudes towards Chinese culture (23%). Occurring the least frequently are Chinese idioms reflecting consciousness and habits of prioritizing public interests over one’s own (12%). The results show that Thai and Chinese people value both 1) positive attitudes towards work and responsibility and 2) honesty, discipline, and respect for organization and social conventions at a high level. However, they value both 1) consciousness and habits of prioritizing public interests over one’s own and 2) pride in Thai/Chinese language, Thainess/Chineseness, and positive attitudes towards Thai/Chinese culture at a low level.
References
Ma Kan Kluay by Phaiwarin Khaongam. Journal of
Humanities and Social Sciences, PSU. 2008; 4(2): 7-34. Thai.
2. Sosotthikul R. Thai sayings, proverbs and adages that make
comparisons to Animals. Bangkok; Chulalongkorn University Press;
2008. Thai.
3. Tedtong U. Khmer proverbs: ways of life and worldviews of
Khmer people [PhD thesis]. Bangkok: Silpakorn University; 2005.
Thai.
4. Ruiying R. A Comparative Study of Thai idiomatic expression
containing the Word “Hua” with their Chinese equivalents
[MA thesis]. Chonburi: Burapha University; 2004. Thai.
5. Nguyen Thi Dung. Thai idioms and Vietnamese idioms:
a comparative study [MA thesis]. Phitsanulok: University;
2011. Thai.
6. Vu Thi Kim Chi. A Comparative study on Vietnamese and
Thai idiomatic expressions [MA thesis]. Bangkok:
Shrinakharinwirot University; 2007. Thai.
7. Sawettanun K, Kaewduangseang S. Analysis between English
and Asian idioms and proverbs based on Social and Culture
[Research report]. Rajamangala. University of Technology Lanna
Nakonratchasima Province; 2014. Thai.
8. Wichasit N. Analysis of morals in Thai idioms [MA thesis].
Phitsanulok: Naresuan University; 2007. Thai.
9. Tangtienchai W. Chinese idiomatic phrases: structures and
purposes of usage [Research report]. Bangkok: Dhurakij Pundit
University; 2009. Thai.
10. Chaiyapan S. Thai idioms develope language skill for
communication. PNU J. 2010; 2(1). 1-13. Thai.
11. Wong ob-om R. History of China. Bangkok: Torch Press;
2019. Thai.
12. Menghui C. Chengyu da cidian. Beijing: Commercial Press;
2004.
13. Anantawong P. Lon bon tok jean. Bangkok: Mathichon Press;
1996. Thai.
14. Wasinanon N. Chinese art and culture. Bangkok; Sukkhapabjai
Press; 2008. Thai
15. Quan L, Shuhong W, Shujun M. Developing Chinese II. 2nd ed.
Beijing: Beijing Language and Culture University Press; 2014.
16. Prasithrathsint A. Standards of the Thai Language (Volume 4).
Bangkok: Thai Language Institute, Department of Curriculum and
Instruction Development, Ministry of Education; 2009. Thai.
17. Thonglueklit O. The moral and ethics of the students in
the school, Ministry of Education. SWU ejourals. 2018;
13(1): 249-261. Thai.
18. Praneetayasai K. Men sino-chinese family: a case study of
sino-chinese family in Tumbon Mahachai Amphoe Muang Samut
Sakhon Province [MA Thesis]. Silpakorn University; 2001. Thai.
19. Weijie X. The settlement of Chinese-Thais in Thai society as
reflect in Thai novels. Liberal Art Review. 2012; 6(12): 1-12. Thai.
20. Paripunna P. Identity Change: A case study of overseas Chinese
in The novel Lotlaimangkon [MA thesis]. Silpakorn University; 2012. Thai.
21. Tangnirandorn A. The difference between Chinese and Aamrican
children’s tale. [Internet] 2018. [update 2018 Jan 25; cited 2019 Jul 28].
Available from: https://www.bangkokbiznews.com/blog/detail/643733. Thai.
22. Maneesai C. The historical study of Suphasit Phraruang. Journal of
Humanities and Social Sciences, SRU. 2011; 3(2): 129-146. Thai.
23. Ong-karn S. “D&G” The effect from chopsticks advertisement
[Internet] 2018. [update 2018 Nov 26; cited 2019 Jul 28]. Available from:
https://mgronline.com/daily/detail/9610000117938. Thai.
24. Burger King apologizes for intensive chopsticks advertisement
[Internet] 2019. [update 2018 Apr 10; cited 2019 Jul 28]Available from:
https://mgronline.com/china/detail/9620000035276. Thai.
25. Mahatdhanobol V. My point of view on China has been changed
[Internet]. 2012. [update 2012 Apr 11; cited 2018 Jul 28].
Available from: http://www.vijaichina.com/interviews/91. Thai.
26. Thanajirawat Z. The comparative study of cultural reflection from
Thai, Chinese and English proverbs. KKU Res J. 2016; 5(1): 59-82. Thai.
27. Sukumalapong J. The trend of corruption in Thailand [Internet].
2013. [update 2013 Sep 1; cited 2018 Jul 1]. Available from:
https://www.parliament.go.th/ewtadmin/ewt/elaw_parcy/ewt_dl_
link.php?nid=148430. Thai.
28. Panmawanit K. Preservation of Thai cultural identity [Internet].
2016. [update 2016 Jan 12; cited 2018 Jul 28]. Available from:
https://www.m-culture.go.th/young/ewt_news.php?nid=165&
filename=index. Thai.
29. The worrying about the ritual and traditional destruction of
the new generation Chinese teenagers: the government orders
schools to teach students etiquettes [Internet] 2011. [update 2011
Jan 25; cited 2019 Jul 28]. Available from: https://mgronline.com/
china/detail/9540000010116. Thai.
