KU AND MUNG: THAI TEENAGERS AND INDEPENDENCE FROM PRESRIPTIVE LANGUAGE USAGE

Abstract

The language used by Thai teenagers nowadays reflects their need to be independent from rules and regulations prescribed in grammar books. As far as pronouns are concerned, ku and mung are stigmatized as being “impolite” without any further explanation. Teenagers want to communicate quickly, to activate group solidarity and to help each other when trouble arises. Outsiders may judge the language they use within the group or among themselves as “rough” or “impolite”. Teenagers, on the other hand, do not consider the language they use as impolite. For teenagers, the language they use within their groups is a language of solidarity. It is more important and meaningful to them than politeness.