Minor Project

Minor Project

My research question will focus on analyzing the relationship between language and representation in Thailand’s National and Local newspapers during the years 2004 to 2014. In analyzing the data I will use the Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). In addition, I will also compare the ISAN representation in the national and local newspapers during the aforementioned years.

For this study the researcher used Fairclough’s (1995) three-dimensional framework as well as van Dijk (2008) approach of ‘racism of the autonomous’ to critique society.

Researchers who have looked at this subject are Tuan A. van Dijk and Krisadawan Hongladarom. They are both important to the study of racism due, largely in part, to the concepts and methods that are featured in their research. Moreover, the results of the research were essential and gives credence to the study in this field as well.

van Dijk(2008) research provides a very detailed insight that focuses on the key concepts of discourse and racism and how the correlation pertains to this particular study. He recommended myriad and germane ways to learn about racism that appears in discourse types and focused on the issue of inequality in society. The concept of an outsider in the group and the results were presented within different discourse. He gave examples of elite discourse in the reproduction of power in presenting the concept of ethnic prejudice. This is quite evident from the wording and social practices that contribute to the dialogue and communication. van Dijk attempted (quite successfully) to demonstrate how these discourses influence people to think about latent racism and the reason(s) for doing so. He also proposed a structure for analyzing the discourse of racism; with the primary aim of asking and answering the question: If an action or discourse that emphasizes "we" have a positive connotation then would "they" conversely, have a negative connotation. Lastly, he asks is using the word “us” in this situation sending the wrong idea about a particular action or does it reduce the severity of the event?

Whereas, Hongladarom(2009), case study, done in Thailand, contributes to the understanding of language and ideology and states that both parts are correlated very well. The use of language is not only used to tell a story but also serves to clarify the debate used as a tool of ideology. Her study attempts to use Language to convey the thoughts of one ethnic group to another. Thus, we may understand and believe in the opinions of the group. In addition, her research is also the first study in Thailand that introduced the concept of CDA to study the visual presentation of minorities in the country and look into the discourse of race as well.

A detailed study of two excerpts found that such research articles used different data and field. Hongladarom chose a popular newspaper while van Dijk divided the ideology of racism into 4 types: conversation, news reports, textbooks and political discourse: parliamentary debates.

My work will take a closer look at van Dijk’s and Hongladarom’s because these researchers demonstrate that the overall concept included in their respective studies allow other researchers to understand the basic concept, framework, the nature of linguistic and ideas more clearly. My research will be used to assist me in further studying individuals from ISAN; by considering the visual presentation of ISAN people and their self-presentation in manufacturing a presentation that asks the question: is there an underlying ideology or not. And does it lead to anything significant in society. Numerous studies have shown and proven that language affects how the media’s ideology affects society. This ideology is also an approach to research that is used to study whether a different discourse, such as van Dijk has proposed germane text to include in everyday conversation textbooks coverage and news reports.

The findings of the present study may shed light on the visual representation of the ISAN newspapers media through National and Local newspapers and might construct some understanding of the attitude of the press in Thailand at the national and local levels on ISAN. Moreover, the results of this study add a new knowledge base to this field. ( 520 words)

Reference List
van Dijk,T.A.(2008). Discourse & Power. New York : Palgrave Macmilan.
Hongladarom, Krisadawan.(2009). Competing Discourse on Hilltribes: Media Representation
of Ethnic Minorities in Thailand. Silpakorn,2009(9),11-17.