A LINGUISTIC ANALYSIS OF STATE EXPECTATIONS AND BUDDHIST ETHICS IN THAI ENGLISH CIVICS TEXTBOOKS: A MODALITY PERSPECTIVE
คำสำคัญ:
Systemic functional linguistics, Critical discourse analysis, Modality, Buddhist ethics, Civics textbooksบทคัดย่อ
In the contemporary Thai educational context, English-Medium Instruction (EMI) is often regarded as a form of symbolic capital that provides access to global educational and professional opportunities. However, its broader role in shaping civic perspectives, moral values, and social expectations within educational discourse remains relatively underexplored. This academic article discusses the discursive construction of the concept of the “quality citizen” in the Civics, Culture, and Living textbook series used in Thai lower secondary education, particularly within English-medium learning contexts. Drawing on Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), the discussion explores how modality functions as a linguistic resource for expressing obligation, recommendation, and possibility in civic and moral discourse. Particular attention is given to the relationship between modal expressions, civic expectations, and Buddhist ethical principles embedded in Thai educational materials. The article argues that high modality tends to frame civic responsibilities as explicit obligations, while medium and low modality contribute to moral guidance, self-regulation, and representations of achievable social conduct. Through critical academic discussion, this article highlights how linguistic choices in educational discourse may contribute to shaping learners’ understanding of citizenship, ethical responsibility, and socially valued behavior in contemporary Thai society.
เอกสารอ้างอิง
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