AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF HISTORY AND TRANSMISSION OF TAI LUE LINGUISTIC CULTURE TO YOUTH IN THE BANTHIN COMMUNITY MUEANG PHRAE DISTRICT, PHRAE PROVINCE

Abstract

This research article pursues three primary objectives: (1) to examine the historical development of the Tai Lue language within Ban Thin community, Mueang Phrae District, Phrae Province. (2) to transmit Tai Lue linguistic knowledge to the younger generation in the Ban Thin community; and (3) to propose practical guidelines for the preservation of the Tai Lue language in Ban Thin.The study employs an action research methodology, involving in-depth interviews and hands-on knowledge-transfer activities conducted within the community.

The findings reveal the following:

1. Historical and linguistic background:

The Tai Lue language in Ban Thin constitutes a fundamental component of the community’s ethnolinguistic identity, tracing its origins to Yunnan prior to migration into Lanna. The language exhibits distinctive phonological, lexical, and orthographic characteristics influenced by the Lanna Tham script. The community continues to preserve traditional customs, ancestral worship practices, and indigenous naming conventions. Revitalization efforts since the 1990s, together with the role of the Tai Lue Cultural Association, have contributed to linguistic stability. The Tai Lue language thus serves not only as a medium of communication but also as a repository of collective memory and cultural identity that warrants preservation for future generations.

2. Transmission to youth: The intergenerational transfer of the Tai Lue language emphasizes learning environments grounded in everyday community life. Awareness-building activities-storytelling, music, and cultural rituals-are used to cultivate appreciation, followed by practical training such as participation in merit-making ceremonies, traditional dance, and Tai Lue script writing. Elders and local knowledge keepers play a crucial role in transmitting language and community values, while digital media is integrated to enhance accessibility and foster pride in local identity.

3. Preservation strategies: Strategies for preserving the Tai Lue language include promoting learning through cultural activities and digital platforms; integrating the language into religious events, community rituals, and school programs; and co-creating new media resources-such as videos, language games, and mobile applications-together with youth. Elders and cultural experts act as central agents in transmitting knowledge through storytelling and hands-on practice. Additional efforts involve building inter-community networks, documenting linguistic data, and developing a digital archive to ensure long-term language sustainability.