Techniques of Language Usage in Folk songs Sung by Maimuang

Abstract

This research aimed at studying the techniques of language usage in folksongs sung by Maimuang by using the conceptual framework of Chanida Pansophon to analyze 44 songs from six albums. The finding revealed that the techniques of language usage in folksongs sung by Maimuang had covered four features: 1) word usage: alliteration, assonance, reduplication of words and clauses, 2) dialects, 3) figures of speech: simile, metaphor, personification, and hyperbole, and 4) meaning communication: both direct and indirect. The results gained from data analysis showed that alliteration was the most found language usage while indirect meaning communication was the least found. In addition, the result also showed that the Northern dialect language was used to show uniqueness of the singer throughout his songs.