Could ASEAN increase the viability of the Thai language?

[taih]

The 3 most common destinations in ASEAN for tourism, work and intra-regional migration are Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. English is already the working language within the bloc, but its usage in the latter two countries already surpassed its other minority languages (Malay, Chinese and Tamil). Thai is spoken by some 60 million people. Thailand however, despite its international and Western appeal, remains linguistically homogenous. Its mainland neighbors (from Myanmar to Vietnam) have migrants and young people who study Thai in order to come for employment, and I do occasionally see the Thai baht in circulation. There is no de facto country in ASEAN (the EU is Franco-German dominated and Mercosul has Brazil), even though its headquarters is located in Indonesia, which is still less developed compared to the three I’ve mentioned. Indonesia being a Muslim-majority country may not appeal to a wide range of foreigners for a long-term. The same applies to Malaysia and Singapore, where law enforcement is absurdly strict. The important thing now is for Thailand to be able to keep up its annual growth and not let itself slip into permanent disarray. Combine all these factors and this may be the push for the Thai language to become the common lingua in mainland Southeast Asia in the near future.

[Langsuan Man]

Someone is dreaming, maybe a Thai language teacher !

[taih]

By importance, I would like to point out that I meant only at a regional scale. Think Turkish, which doesn’t extend beyond Asia Minor and the Balkans, but is necessary for Levantines and Persians who seek better living standards. English fluency is also something to be addressed in the public education sector.

[CaptHaddock]

A ridiculous idea. Low-level foreign immigrants will continue to learn a limited Thai, but everyone else will use English which is already established as the lingua franca of the region.

[phuketsub]

A well-written and I am sure well-intended post, but I find it highly unlikely there will ever be a 'push' for Thai to become a regional lingua francafor several reasons:

First, English has been the official working language of Asean from the outset, which gives it a lot of momentum moving forward. It is also the lingua franca for the whole world and that fact seems unlikely to change in the foreseeable future.

If there were a candidate for a 'regional lingua france', it would surely have to be Malay, just based on the number of speakers. However, dialects of Malay differ so much that it is impossible for people from Sumatra to communicate effectively from, say Kelantan State.

Chinese would also be a more sensible nominee than Thai, given the ethnic Chinese populations that exist in all member states and the ever-rising economic power of the PRC.

But there are issues of national pride to consider. The core founding principals of Asean stress that no member state will intervene in the affairs of any other -- and (for better or worse depending on your viewpoint) the bloc has been a success in that regard. That rationale certainly contradicts the language of any single member state becoming more important in the conversation than that of any other.

If there were to be a 'push' for Thai to be the lingua franca, as suggested in the OP, I don't have any idea who would be behind it.

I am sure the Thai foreign affairs people are savvy enough to realize what a severe diplomatic gaffe it would be to even suggest it, especially given that this country spends more on English-language education than any other, yet consistently comes in last in terms of performance. It would look totally lame.

For me it would be inconceivable for any other member state to suggest it.

I am not sure exactly what is meant by the statement: "Thailand is linguistically homogeneous."

I think you would have a hard time selling that one in many regions, especially Patani.

Central 'Bangkok' Thai has become widely understood over much of the country among the younger generations due to the effect of mass media, but many regional dialects are still very much the language on the streets: which is why I can hardly understand a word my mother-in-law says (blessing in disguise?).

I do appreciate that Thai is being increasingly used as the medium of communication among many non-English speaking people living here. I have used it to converse with Burmese, Vietnamese, Chinese and expats from many European countries who speak Thai well, but not English.

In this sense I think the central Thai dialect is emerging as an increasingly important means of communication among expats, migrant workers living here, etc, but I don't think there is much spread of its use in this way outside the borders.

[taih]

A well-written and I am sure well-intended post, but I find it highly unlikely there will ever be a 'push' for Thai to become a regional lingua francafor several reasons:

First, English has been the official working language of Asean from the outset, which gives it a lot of momentum moving forward. It is also the lingua franca for the whole world and that fact seems unlikely to change in the foreseeable future.

If there were a candidate for a 'regional lingua france', it would surely have to be Malay, just based on the number of speakers. However, dialects of Malay differ so much that it is impossible for people from Sumatra to communicate effectively from, say Kelantan State.

Chinese would also be a more sensible nominee than Thai, given the ethnic Chinese populations that exist in all member states and the ever-rising economic power of the PRC.

But there are issues of national pride to consider. The core founding principals of Asean stress that no member state will intervene in the affairs of any other -- and (for better or worse depending on your viewpoint) the bloc has been a success in that regard. That rationale certainly contradicts the language of any single member state becoming more important in the conversation than that of any other.

If there were to be a 'push' for Thai to be the lingua franca, as suggested in the OP, I don't have any idea who would be behind it.

I am sure the Thai foreign affairs people are savvy enough to realize what a severe diplomatic gaffe it would be to even suggest it, especially given that this country spends more on English-language education than any other, yet consistently comes in last in terms of performance. It would look totally lame.

For me it would be inconceivable for any other member state to suggest it.

I am not sure exactly what is meant by the statement: "Thailand is linguistically homogeneous."

I think you would have a hard time selling that one in many regions, especially Patani.

Central 'Bangkok' Thai has become widely understood over much of the country among the younger generations due to the effect of mass media, but many regional dialects are still very much the language on the streets: which is why I can hardly understand a word my mother-in-law says (blessing in disguise?).

I do appreciate that Thai is being increasingly used as the medium of communication among many non-English speaking people living here. I have used it to converse with Burmese, Vietnamese, Chinese and expats from many European countries who speak Thai well, but not English.

In this sense I think the central Thai dialect is emerging as an increasingly important means of communication among expats, migrant workers living here, etc, but I don't think there is much spread of its use in this way outside the borders.

I know quite a few Myanmar and Vietnamese who speak fluent Thai with a local mindset (aka assimilated). Thailand just seems to be that bridging country where people from developed to impoverished countries come and live it out for a while before deciding on their next move or if they wish to remain for the time being.

I know local Thai products are popular in neighboring countries, but I do think the Thai government should put in their checklist to actively promote learning the Thai language in their cultural expos. The fact that Thai products are favored over many Asian ones and well-known exports (Tom Yum Goong, Muay Thai, etc.) are world-renowned, they ought to seize the opportunity. If a political crisis isn't stopping people from coming here, then what's to stop the spread of the language usage? This is the 10th most visited country on earth.

[taih]

"Someone is dreaming, maybe a Thai language teacher!"

"A ridiculous idea. Low-level foreign immigrants will continue to learn a limited Thai, but everyone else will use English which is already established as the lingua franca of the region."

I think one of the attractions of Thailand is its feasible standards of living and lack of cultural imperialism. If you do not subscribe to the way of life here, because you’re foreign or part-foreign, it’s fine with the locals. Try that in the West or Japan.

[jcisco]

In reality the language can only be learned properly if you are born in Thailand and grow up going through a Thai life and Thai schooling. While the language remains so poorly documented it will continue to be a language unsuitable for use in the manner you are suggesting.

Though I really do hope that some Organization would go ahead and do the research and compile a snapshot of the language. Continued monitoring going forward would be fantastic, such a resource would allow decent courses to be created.

Until then it will continue to be poorly represented and fragmented. Thailand is not alone in this position, Indonesia has the huge variability in their languages and usage but at least it's got some guidance and is actively studied.

Pants the Great Wall

[Thai at Heart]

Any of the regional languages that use a Roman alphabet will be of greater likelihood of being taken up

[Johpa]

Nothing can increase the "viability" of any minor world language such as Thai. And Thailand's only long term hope is to become a bilingual nation and they might want to choose English before Chinese is imposed.