A Study of Thai-English Code-mixing in “Pentor”, Thai Sitcom television program

Abstract

This research aims to investigate characteristics and most frequently used types of
Thai-English code-mixing found in Pentor, Thai situation comedy television program, from 10
most viewed video on YouTube along with motivation of code-mixing use and also to
discuss how Thai-English code-mixing reflects the importance and power of the English
language for media and audience. The analysis was based on six classification frameworks
applied by Kannaoakun with six nativized features presenting Truncation, Hybridization,
Conversion, Semantic shift, Reduplication, and Word Order Shift respectively.

Truncation was found the most at 53 words (38.12%), followed by 31 words
(22.30%) of hybridization, 27 words (19.42%) of semantic shift, 16 words (11.51%) of
conversion, six words (4.31%) of reduplication and word order. It also explained that the
English language had been totally combined and used among Thai people, and conversely
would reflect itself as the media spreading code-mixing through sitcom. Code-mixing of
English and Thai on Thai television entertainment program that appeared in this research was
employed for the purpose of easiness and meaningfulness that speakers can communicate
and persuade audience better than Thai words.