Abstract:
This research aims to study linguistic devices that Thai speakers adopted to express disagreement in conversational discourse, to compare linguistic devices adopted to express disagreement in two types of conversations including task-based conversation and argumentative conversation, as well as to study native speakers motivational concerns while performing the act. The data were elicited from two types of naturally occurring conversation including task-based conversation and argumentative conversation. The data used in the study of native speakers motivational concern were taken from questionnaires and in-depth interviews with thirty Thai speakers. The viewpoints from native speaker were also discussed in relation to socio-cultural factors proposed by anthropologists and sociologists. The results indicate that Thai speakers adopted totally twenty-one linguistic devices to express disagreement which can be divided into four main categories 1) using mitigating devices (56.47%) 2) using persuasive devices (31.81%) 3) using bold-on-record devices (8.40%) and 4) using sarcastic remarks (3.28%) When comparing the linguistic devices used in the two types of discourse, it is found that the linguistic devices adopted in argumentative conversation are more various than those found in task-based conversation. This indicates that the genre of discourse has some influence upon the strategy selection. An analysis of native speakers motivational concerns reveals that there are two types of motivational concerns 1) motivational concerns relating to the purposes of conversation 2) motivational concerns relating to the contexts of conversation. It is found that Thai speakers place a priority on keeping relationship with the interlocutor. This concern appears to be a significant feature in Thai conversation. Using mitigating devices more frequently than bold-on-record devices reflects that Thai people place high value upon the concept of interdependency, compromise, conflict avoidance, the Thai concept of Kreng-jai awareness of social standing, consideration for others benefits and self-denial and modesty. This linguistic behavior might be motivated by some concepts that deeply rooted in Thai culture. That is, an interdependent view of self, collectivism, affiliative society, interpersonal orientation, and being high context culture. Some of these concepts might be influenced by the concept of Buddhism.