The Role of Buddhism in the Language Ecology and Vitality of Tai Phake in Assam (India) and Wutun in Qinghai (China)
Issued Date
2025-05-01
Resource Type
eISSN
20771444
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105006581327
Journal Title
Religions
Volume
16
Issue
5
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Religions Vol.16 No.5 (2025)
Suggested Citation
Wongsathit U.T., Sandman E., Yurayong C. The Role of Buddhism in the Language Ecology and Vitality of Tai Phake in Assam (India) and Wutun in Qinghai (China). Religions Vol.16 No.5 (2025). doi:10.3390/rel16050566 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/110470
Title
The Role of Buddhism in the Language Ecology and Vitality of Tai Phake in Assam (India) and Wutun in Qinghai (China)
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Abstract
This study examines the role of Buddhism in the vitality of local languages as an asset of indigenous traditions, focusing on two geographically disconnected minority language communities: Tai Phake in the state of Assam, India, and Wutun (Ngandehua) in the Qinghai province of China. The investigation addresses various factors related to the ecology of speech communities discussed in connection with religion. The data are based on longitudinal observations from personal fieldwork in the respective locations over the past two decades. The descriptive and comparative analysis applies an ecology-based typology of minority language situations to assess the contribution of individual factors in three different domains (speakers, language, and setting) to the vitality of the Tai Phake and Wutun languages. The results reveal several areas in which Buddhism as a cultural authority has noticeably contributed to language preservation. The effects of Buddhism are considered significant in enhancing demographic stability, social setting, attitudes, awareness of historical legacy, education in monasteries, and sustainable economics. In contrast, religion does not account for the vitality of these local languages in situations where a low degree of dialectal variation does not complicate intergenerational transmission of language, the minority status of the speech community is unique, and space for language in the institutionalised domain of use is insufficiently provided.