Abstract:
This research aimed to: (1) study and collect data on the language and local culture of the Tai Yo people in Ban Kudjik, Tha Khantho District, Kalasin Province, and (2) develop a language and local culture textbook on the Tai Yo ethnic group for Kudjik Witthayakhan School, Kalasin Province. The target groups included 5 local wisdom practitioners and 7 experts. The research tools used were: (1) an interview form on the Tai Yo language and culture of Kudjik Witthayakhan School, (2) a textbook on Tai Yo language and culture, and (3) an evaluation form for assessing the textbook's appropriateness, feasibility, and usefulness. Data were analyzed using basic statistics: mean and standard deviation.
The research results were as follows:
1. The collected data on the Tai Yo language and culture of Ban Kudjik, Tha Khantho District, Kalasin Province, revealed the following: History of the Tai Yo people: The oral history and legends of the Tai Yo mention the village of Nong Luang and a notable figure, Thao Khun Chiang Pattha, a village sage and ritual leader of Tha Khon Yang. Linguistic features: The Tai Yo language in Kudjik Subdistrict is part of the KraDai language family and is recognized as part of Thailands intangible cultural heritage (2014). It is distinguished by unique vowel sounds such as the vowel ue. The language includes 19 consonants, 18 monophthongs, 3 diphthongs, 4 tones, and 6 consonant clusters. Cultural traditions: The study highlights the Tai Yo traditions called Heet 12 Khong 14, referring to twelve monthly customs and fourteen practices observed annually. These traditions are inherited from ancestors and referred to as Heet or customary norms and Charit (ritual customs), forming a rich cultural heritage.
2. The evaluation of the textbooks appropriateness, feasibility, and usefulness showed an overall high level of suitability (X̅= 3.92). In detail: Usefulness had the highest average score (X̅= 4.02), followed by appropriateness (X̅= 3.88), and feasibility (X̅= 3.85), respectively.