Representation of Elderly Thai People Through Linguistic Devices in Thai Newspapers
Keywords:
representation, elderly, critical discourse analysis, media discourseAbstract
The elderly have been the subject of academic studies in many fields since Thailand became an aging society. This study aims to examine the representation of elderly Thai people through linguistic devices using critical discourse analysis. The data were collected from news headlines, articles, columns, and other writings in the Thairath and Daily News newspapers in 2013. The notions of social actor and transitivity were adopted to analyze the texts. The findings show two different aspects of elderly representation in Thai newspapers. On the one hand, elderly Thai people are represented as dependent and needing care, having deteriorating health, and becoming the country’s problem or burden. On the other hand, Thai elderly people are also represented as competent and respectable. Yet, the elderly are mostly represented negatively as society’s burden. Such stereotypical emphasis could lead to a discourse of fear or denial against aging in Thai society and might distort the elderly’s perception of themselves and the society’s thoughts and perceptions toward the elderly and how to treat them.
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Fairclough, N. (1995a). Critical discourse analysis: the critical study of language. London: Longman.
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Jitapunkul, S. (2001). Principles of geriatric medicine. 3rd ed. Bangkok: Division of Geriatric Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University. (In Thai)
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Machin, D., & Mayr, A. (2012). How to do Critical Discourse Analysis. London: Sage.
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Panpothong, N. (2013). Linguistically Oriented Critical Discourse Analysis: Approaches to Analysing in Thai Discourse. Bangkok: Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University. (In Thai)
Phakdeephasook, S. (2018). The Relationship between Language and Identity and Approaches to Analysing in Thai. Bangkok: Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University. (In Thai)
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Prasartkul, P., Chuanwan, S., & Thianlai, K. (2012). Elderly: Inner People to Be Marginalised. In Vajanasara, K., & Archvanijkul, K. (Eds.), Marginalized Population and Justice in Thai Society, pp. 105-124, Nakhon Pathom: Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University. (In Thai)
Phromphak, C. (2013). Aging society in Thailand. The Secretariat of the Senate. Retrieved 22 August 2017, from http://library.senate.go.th/document/Ext6078/6078440_0002.PDF (In Thai)
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Somboonbut, P. (2006). Representation of Elderly Women in the TV Dramatized Documentary “Khon Khon Khon”. Master Thesis, Mass Communication, Thammasat University, Thailand. (In Thai)
Srisantisuk, S. (1996). Sociology of Ageing. Bangkok: Chulalongkorn University. (In Thai)
Sritanyaratana, W., & Aroonsang, P. (2003). Situation of the elderly: The Reflections from Thai Daily Newspaper. Journal of Faculty of Nursing, 26(1), 8-18. (In Thai)
Sukwisith, W. (2011). The Relationship between Language and Ideologies in the Thai Language Textbooks for the Elementary School Curriculum B.E. 25032544: A Critical Discourse Analysis. Doctoral Dissertation, Thai, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. (In Thai)
Sumlee, M. (2007). Elderly Characters in Thai Novels 19822005. Master Thesis, Thai, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. (In Thai)
Supharb, S. (2000). Thai society and culture: Values Family Religion Tradition. 11th ed. Bangkok: Thaiwatanapanich. (In Thai)
Tawanyapote, N. (2008). The Elderly in Thai law. Rattasapasarn, 56(7), 16-92. (In Thai)
Thaweesit, S. (2010). Editorial Note: A Paradigm Shift for Researching the Elderly. In Thaweesit, S., & Boonyamanond, S. (Eds.), Value of the elderly from the eyes of Thai society, pp. 1-11, Nakhon Pathom: Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University. (In Thai)
The National Committee on the Elderly. (2018). The 2nd National Plan on the Elderly 20022021. 2nd Revision 2018. Bangkok: Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. (In Thai)
The Royal Institute. (2013). Royal Institute Dictionary 2011 edition. 2nd ed. Bangkok: Nanmeebooks. (In Thai)
Thongpan, P. (1997). The Image of the Elderly in Television Advertising. Master Thesis, Mass Communication, Thammasat University, Thailand. (In Thai)
Van Leeuwen, T. (2008). Discourse and Practice: New Tools for Critical Discourse Analysis. Oxford University Press.
Bhuvapanich, S. (2010). Effects of the Aging Society on the Thai Economy. TRF Policy Brief, 1(10), 1-8. (In Thai)
Chan, C. S. (2009). Older people stereotypes in Hong Kong's print advertisements. LCOM Papers 2, 57-76.
Chen, C.H. (2015). Older Adults as Discursively Constructed in Taiwanese Newspaper: A Critical Discourse Analysis. International Journal of Society, Culture & Language, 3(2), 72-84.
Chutavichit, K. et al. (2014). The Elderly and Their Relations with Their Families: Reflections of their relationships in Thai literature. Ramkhamhaeng University Journal Humanities Edition, 33(1), 51-70. (In Thai)
Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2550. (27 September 2007). Royal Thai Government Gazette. (In Thai)
Coupland, J. (2007). Gendered discourses on the 'problem' of ageing: consumerized solutions. Discourse & Communication, 1(1), 37-61.
David, M., & Alagappar, P. (2013). Representation of the Elderly in a Malaysian English Daily. ICSSR journal of social sciences researches, 1(1), 1-14.
Department of older persons. (2018). Thailand’s National Agenda on Aged Society. Bangkok: Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. (In Thai)
Fairclough, N. (1989). Language and Power. London: Longman.
Fairclough, N. (1995a). Critical discourse analysis: the critical study of language. London: Longman.
Fairclough, N. (1995b). Media Discourse. London: Edward Arnold.
Fairclough, N., & Wodak, R. (1997). Critical Discourse Analysis. In T. A. van Dijk (ed.). Discourse as Social Interaction, pp. 258-285. London: Sage.
Fealy, G., McNamara, M., Treacy, M. P., & Lyons, I. (2012). Constructing Ageing and Age Identities: A Case Study of Newspaper Discourses. Ageing & Society, 32(1), 85–102.
Foundation of Thai Gerontology Research and Development institute (TGRI). (2017). Situation of the Thai Elderly 2016. Bangkok: Foundation of Thai Gerontology Research and Development institute. (In Thai)
Foundation of Thai Gerontology Research and Development institute (TGRI). (2019). Situation of the Thai Elderly 2018. Bangkok: Foundation of Thai Gerontology Research and Development institute. (In Thai)
Hall, S., Evans, J., & Nixon, S. (2013). Representation. 2nd ed. CA: Sage.
Halliday, M.A.K. (1994). An introduction to functional grammar. 2nd ed. London: Edward Arnold.
Jitapunkul, S. (2001). Principles of geriatric medicine. 3rd ed. Bangkok: Division of Geriatric Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University. (In Thai)
Louiyapong, K. (2010). Communication and Identity Discourses of the Elderly in Thai Society. Doctoral Dissertation, Communication Arts, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. (In Thai)
Machin, D., & Mayr, A. (2012). How to do Critical Discourse Analysis. London: Sage.
Manprasert, S. et al. (2010). Demographic change and Effects of macroeconomics. Bangkok: The Thailand Research Fund. (In Thai)
Matichon. (2016). Annual Report. Bangkok: Matichon. (In Thai)
Panpothong, N. (2013). Linguistically Oriented Critical Discourse Analysis: Approaches to Analysing in Thai Discourse. Bangkok: Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University. (In Thai)
Phakdeephasook, S. (2018). The Relationship between Language and Identity and Approaches to Analysing in Thai. Bangkok: Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University. (In Thai)
Phrakhru Thammasarakosol. (2017). A Way of Gratitude Cultivation for Living in the Buddhist Scriptures. Master Thesis, Buddhist Studies, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Thailand. (In Thai)
Prasartkul, P., Chuanwan, S., & Thianlai, K. (2012). Elderly: Inner People to Be Marginalised. In Vajanasara, K., & Archvanijkul, K. (Eds.), Marginalized Population and Justice in Thai Society, pp. 105-124, Nakhon Pathom: Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University. (In Thai)
Phromphak, C. (2013). Aging society in Thailand. The Secretariat of the Senate. Retrieved 22 August 2017, from http://library.senate.go.th/document/Ext6078/6078440_0002.PDF (In Thai)
Simpson, P. (1993). Language, Ideology and Point of View. London: Routedge.
Somboonbut, P. (2006). Representation of Elderly Women in the TV Dramatized Documentary “Khon Khon Khon”. Master Thesis, Mass Communication, Thammasat University, Thailand. (In Thai)
Srisantisuk, S. (1996). Sociology of Ageing. Bangkok: Chulalongkorn University. (In Thai)
Sritanyaratana, W., & Aroonsang, P. (2003). Situation of the elderly: The Reflections from Thai Daily Newspaper. Journal of Faculty of Nursing, 26(1), 8-18. (In Thai)
Sukwisith, W. (2011). The Relationship between Language and Ideologies in the Thai Language Textbooks for the Elementary School Curriculum B.E. 25032544: A Critical Discourse Analysis. Doctoral Dissertation, Thai, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. (In Thai)
Sumlee, M. (2007). Elderly Characters in Thai Novels 19822005. Master Thesis, Thai, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. (In Thai)
Supharb, S. (2000). Thai society and culture: Values Family Religion Tradition. 11th ed. Bangkok: Thaiwatanapanich. (In Thai)
Tawanyapote, N. (2008). The Elderly in Thai law. Rattasapasarn, 56(7), 16-92. (In Thai)
Thaweesit, S. (2010). Editorial Note: A Paradigm Shift for Researching the Elderly. In Thaweesit, S., & Boonyamanond, S. (Eds.), Value of the elderly from the eyes of Thai society, pp. 1-11, Nakhon Pathom: Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University. (In Thai)
The National Committee on the Elderly. (2018). The 2nd National Plan on the Elderly 20022021. 2nd Revision 2018. Bangkok: Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. (In Thai)
The Royal Institute. (2013). Royal Institute Dictionary 2011 edition. 2nd ed. Bangkok: Nanmeebooks. (In Thai)
Thongpan, P. (1997). The Image of the Elderly in Television Advertising. Master Thesis, Mass Communication, Thammasat University, Thailand. (In Thai)
Van Leeuwen, T. (2008). Discourse and Practice: New Tools for Critical Discourse Analysis. Oxford University Press.
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Published
2020-12-18
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Butsabokkaew, T., & Panpothong, N. (2020). Representation of Elderly Thai People Through Linguistic Devices in Thai Newspapers. Journal of the Faculty of Arts, Silpakorn University, 42(2), 88–114. Retrieved from https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/jasu/article/view/247856
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