Conceptualizing lesbians across cultures: Exploring lesbian terms in English and Thai

This review article examines the conceptualization of lesbian identities in English and Thai contexts through a comparative analysis of their respective terminologies. The primary objectives are twofold: first, to trace the historical development, power relations, and modes of resistance underpinning these lesbian terms within their cultural contexts; and second, to discuss how these terminologies reflect divergent constructions of gender roles and sexual identity. Synthesized from existing academic studies from the 1900s onward, the insights presented in this article are organized into three major sections: the first section introduces English terms and definitions associated with lesbian identities from English-dominant Western societies; the second traces the historical development and evolution of Thai lesbian terms; and the third examines the ideologies and perceptions underlying the coinage of these terminologies in both cultures. Findings reveal that English terms prioritize self-identification and gender fluidity, while Thai terms are discursively constructed through contextually dependent, binary role structure, and social harmony. This distinction highlights the cultural and linguistic differences in conceptualizing lesbian identities. By examining these terminologies across two distinct linguistic and cultural contexts, this study contributes to the fields of LGBTQ+ studies, sociolinguistics, and cross-cultural discourse, offering insights into how language reflects and shapes understandings of sexual and gender identities in different societies.