Linguistically-Limited Intercultural Adaptations of Independent Western Migrants in Thailand

“Taxi Thai” Communication Strategy

Bibliographic Data

ID21190296
AuthorsNuntiya Doungphummes (0000-0001-8596-2142, Mahidol University, corresponding author), Ami Zarchi (Mahidol University)
Year2022
Volume51
Issue3
Pages325-340
Publication date2022-05-04
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Intercultural Communication Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1747-5759 • E-ISSN: 1747-5767
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/17475759.2021.1946840
OpenAlexW4254757182
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited21

This article examines the cultural-linguistic adaptations of independent long-staying Western migrants (IWMs) in Bangkok, Thailand, focusing on the dynamic relationship between their learning and use of Thai language and adaptations to Thai cultural norms. Through intensive interviews with 24 IWMs, we gained insights into complex experiences of the participants in which gaining cultural knowledge often forestalled their language learning and use instead of these two mechanisms acting to mutually reinforce host communication competence. The result was linguistically-limited intercultural adaptations with “Taxi-Thai” serving as a communication strategy that allowed the IWMs to accomplish effective functional relationships with Thais and psychological wellbeing

Intercultural communication · Intercultural Competence · Pedagogy · Sociology · Thais · Demography · International Student and Expatriate Challenges · Migration and Labor Dynamics · Migration, Ethnicity, and Economy · Psychology · Social Psychology

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