Language as Resistance: Reflections on Ethnomethodological Data Collection Practices in Thailand’s Isan Region

• In Event: 50260 - Section on Asia and Asian America Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Table 5: Methodological Innovation and Challenges in Social Inquiry

Abstract

This paper offers linguistic insights into qualitative data collection and interviewing practices in the northeastern region of Thailand, often referred to as Isan. Drawing from in-depth interview data with 53 respondents collected in 2025, this paper examines how language affected respondents’ comfortability and responsiveness during interviews, and therefore complicates the question of ethnomethodological language use beyond simple fluency. All respondents self-identified as Isan – sometimes synonymously referred to as Lao – which is an ethnic group from northeastern Thailand. Isan/Lao people are the largest ethnic group in Thailand. Despite this, they have long suffered from systemic racism, marginalization, and discrimination within Thailand, most notably in the nation's educational system, where only Central Thai is used. While many Isan/Lao people are bilingual and speak both Isan/Lao and Central Thai (pasa klang), data demonstrate that many Isan/Lao people prefer to speak Isan/Lao rather than Central Thai. Many respondents stated that Central Thai felt like a foreign and distant language to them, one that did not “stick to [their] mouth” (a literal translation from Isan/Lao to English). Central Thai could feel disingenuous, cold, strict, and overly formal. This systemic linguistic divide and misrecognition of Isan/Lao as a formal language has resulted in many Isan/Lao people receiving less than a high school education. Interviews were conducted in two languages, Central Thai and/or Isan/Lao, depending on the respondents’ preference. Often, respondents would be curter or more reserved when questions were asked in Central Thai rather than Isan/Lao, despite being fluent in Central Thai. However, when interviews and surveys were conducted using Isan/Lao, respondents were more willing to share and were able to explain concepts related to their lived experiences with greater clarity. This paper explores how language used during the data collection stage may affect data quality, and how the research team adapted to such linguistic nuances.

Author

• Rachel Engel, University of Hawaii at Manoa