AN ANALYSIS OF LANGUAGE IDENTITY THROUGH LANGUAGE BARRIERS FACED BY THAI STUDENTS OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT UNIVERSITY OF MUHAMMADIYAH MALANG

摘要

Keyword : identity constructions, language barriers, language Identity, thai studentsududPeople who move to another country might experience problem in communication, likewise language barriers. Language barriers are caused by lacking of understanding with different interlocutorÂ’s language. While facing the language barriers, people attempt to negotiate or construct their identity. Identity which has the nature of complex and dynamic can be a burden for those who feel like a stranger in the overseas. Their identity will be challenged by native speakers. Therefore, they choose whether to accept or deny host language. Furthermore, this study aimed to find out types of language barriers faced by Thai students of English Department and investigate how they construct their identity through language barriers.ududThe case study approach was employed in this research. The key informants of this study was Thai students who studied at English Education Department of University of Muhammadiyah Malang and the instrument to collect the data was interview. Furthermore, the semi-structured interview was employed.ududBased on the result of the data analysis, types of language barriers faced by first participants (CH) were, (1) symbol with different meaning, (2) faulty translation, (3) unclarified assumptions, (4) technical jargons, (5) on volume, (6) tone of voice, (7) gender expectations, (8) cultural tension, and (9) personal space. CH had blended identity constructions, she had acculturated and attempted to blend with the community. For instance she told her friends that she did not understand Javanese so that it could be translated by his friends. While, types of language barriers faced by second participant (KD) were, (1) faulty translation, (2) unclarified assumptions, (3) technical jargon. (4) on tone of voice, (5) cultural tension, (6) religious views and (7) personal space. KD had rejection identity constructions. KD had said that he rejected to the community. It could be seen that he did not want to mingle anymore because his friend liked to speak Javanese.