Historical narratives and sociolinguistic factors affecting language use of the Hakkas in Thailand

Abstract

The Hakka people, a subgroup within the Han Chinese ethnicity and part of the Southern Sinitic language family, have migrated from China to various regions in Southeast Asia over several centuries. In Thailand, some Hakka communities have successfully preserved their linguistic heritage, while others have experienced a decline in language use. This study explores the historical narratives of the Hakka across different regions of Thailand and examines the sociolinguistic factors influencing language maintenance. Through semi-structured interviews with 190 participants from 38 communities, the research aims to investigate the current state of Hakka language use, providing valuable historical data for future studies. Findings indicate that factors promoting language maintenance include marriage within the Hakka community, living in rural areas and limited contact with other Chinese and Thai. Conversely, university-level education, intermarriage mainly with Thais, and urbanization contribute to language shift. The Thai government does not have a clear program or policy to support the use of ethnic group languages. Consequently, Hakkas face various challenges in maintaining their language. To preserve the language, community members, researchers and the government must implement several steps and strategies. This includes the use of native languages within domestic settings and the implementation of supportive governmental policies.