Language and Ethnic Identity Construction of Tai Dam (Black Tai): The Case of Na Pa Nat Community. Khao Keao. Chiang Khan. Loei Province

Abstract

Tai Dam is one of the ethnic groups in Thailand that may not be very well known. But it
is outstanding Today. Tai Dam ethnic groups try to carry on their cultural identity. Whether the Tai
Dam language or other cultural characteristics Under the local tourism promotion policy and the
preservation of the Tai Dam language that is about to be lost Tai Dam people are also being
challenged to inherit their ethnic identity. Especially between the old and the new. This article wants to explore that Tai Dam language as a tool that shows the identity of ethnic groups
Documentation and ethnographic methods are used as the primary method of study in this
article in order to consider the language and discourse used in a particular communication
situation. What does it look like? And how Tai Dam [Black Tai] identity is being interpreted and
created by Tai Dam people in the community.
Preliminary results show that Tai Dam people in different generations use Tai Dam
language in different communication. From ethnographic studies found that The elderly are trying
to maintain the Tai Dam identity intensely. But there are adaptations in certain situations While
the young and the young generation are negotiating for a mixed identity This article wants to
point out that the Tai Dam community is in the process of changing. Both the language used and
other cultural characteristics.