The Use of First and Second-Person Pronouns: A Case Study of Mae Fah Luang University Students

Abstract

The research aims to examine the use of first and second-person pronouns by Mae Fah Luang University students. The data was collected from 100 questionnaires, looking at social factors such as gender of the speaker, age of the listener, intimacy, and gender of the listener. The findings showed that for the usage of first-person pronouns, male speakers were found to use 9 words: phom, chue, raw, kuu, phii, nii, phii+chue, chan, and khaw. On the one hand, female speakers were found to use 10 words: raw, nuu, phii, chue, khaw, kuu, nii, chan, nong, and phii+chue, respectively. For the usage of second-person pronouns, male speakers were found to use 15 words: chue, mueng, khun, phii, nong, thoe, ai+chue, phii+chue, kae, ii+chue, nong+chue, nuu, naay, cee, and raw. On the one hand, female speakers were found to use 16 words: chue, thoe, phii, kae, phii+chue, nong, nong+chue, mueng, nuu, khun, cee, ai+chue, ii+chue, mae, tua-eng, and naay, respectively. The study revealed that the speaker’s choice of pronouns depended on the various situations according to various social factors, with the age of the listener being the most significant factor, followed by intimacy and gender of the listener, respectively. This indicated the significance of age or seniority in Thai society and culture.