เมฆถาวรวัฒนา, ทัศนีย์ [Mekthawornwathana, Thasanee] (2010). บทวัฒนธรรมของการขอโทษในภาษาไทย [The cultural script of apologizing in Thai]. มนุษยศาสตร์สังคมศาสตร์ (มหาวิทยาลัยขอนแก่น) [Humanities and social sciences (Khon Kaen University)], 27(2), 28-50. PDF (open access)
Written in Thai.
This paper develops a Thai version of the Natural Semantic Metalanguage and proposes a cultural script for apologies in Thai using NSM and the Cultural Script model.
It was found that Thai people “apologize” in 8 situations: after doing bad things to others, when bothering someone, asking for permission, giving an idea, satirizing, blaming, refusing and ordering. It was also found that the closest Thai equivalent to the English word apologize was more associated with ‘face’ and ‘politeness’ than ‘causing offense’. This leads Thai people to apologize in various situations even though there is no offense. This use of apologizing reflects the fact that Thai society cares for participants’ ‘face’ and feelings more than Japanese and Western cultures.
