Abstract:
This thesis, a qualitative study, is a study of language usage for selfpresentation
on Thai online diaries. Its objectives are to study verbal and non-verbal
language as well as language use. In terms of collecting data, I selected the top 10
most popular diarists whose online diaries are posted on the website
http://www.diaryhub.com. The thesis methodology was to analyze data obtained
from observation by assigning data and using tables to compare and contrast
information, and interviews based on questionnaires.
All 10 diarists used verbal language which could be classed in five parts: the
name of online diary, name of diarist, heading, topic, and word use. Furthermore,
these five characteristics could be classified into six main characteristics such as
address terms, transliterations, use of foreign words instead of Thai words, use of
spoken language, use of slang, and avoiding of taboo words. Moreover, all of them
used a casual and intimate speech style. In terms of non-verbal language, all the 10
diarists used three kinds of non-verbal language: colors, pictures and songs. The
diarists prefered to use colors and pictures to insert into their heading of diary and
also to use background colors and songs which suited their diary contexts.
In terms of whole diary contents, the 10 diarists mostly presented their
writing in two parts. Firstly, there was writing about daily life such as study and
work. Next, there was writing about activities which teenages love to do when they
have leisure such as traveling, going to see a movie, going to a concert, etc.