ABSTRACT
This chapter assesses the current state of the use and maintenance of the Thai language in Great Los Angeles (GLA). With over 31,000 Thai speakers, the Thai community is the sixteenth largest among GLA’s ethnic communities speaking a language other than English, and the eighth biggest among East and Southeast Asian communities in the area. The first-generation Thai play a key role in transmitting language and culture to their children and grandchildren. The second-generation student interviewees rated their language ability differently. The chapter provides an assessment of the current linguistic vitality of Thai in L.A. according to criteria developed by UNESCO. The two most important cultural hubs for Thais are Thai Town in East Hollywood and Wat Thai in North Hollywood. These two locations play crucial roles in maintaining Thai culture and language in various forms, ranging from the use of Thai on the menu to established Thai language classes.
