Abstract:
This thesis aims to identify Mon-Khmer loanwords in Northern Thai dialect and to study the changes in these loanwords. Research data are collected from Lannas written documents composed of inscriptions inscribed in Yuan language, Northern Thai dialect dictionaries, as well as literary texts. It is found that there are 594 Mon-Khmer loanwords in Northern Thai dialect. 536 words (90.24%) have been borrowed from Khmer, 18 words (3.03%) from Mon, 3 words (0.50%) from Lawa, and 37 words (6.23%) from Mon-Khmer cognates which the exact donor language cannot be identified. The large proportion of Khmer loanwords in Northern Thai dialect is a result of the influence of Old Khmer writing tradition which had been passed to Lanna through Sukhothai and Ayutthaya Kingdoms. The result also shows that there are 4 degrees of certainty when identifying Mon-Khmer loanwords in northern Thai dialect. 546 words (91.92%) are clearly borrowed (degree 4), 38 words (6.40%) are probably borrowed (degree 3), 5 words (0.84%) are perhaps borrowed (degree 2) and 5 words (0.84%) are very little evidence for borrowing (degree 1). The study of changes in Mon-Khmer loanwords in northern Thai dialect is done only in loanwords identified as degree 4 and 3, and from orthographic forms and sounds reflected by the orthographic forms. It is found that there are words with no change and words with changes. There are various orthographic forms of borrowed words with Cr- initial clusters as well as words borrowed from palatal stop with nasals or liquids initial clusters. Adaptations in borrowed words with -c -ɲ -s -r -l finals are also found. Addition of tone marks is found when borrowed words appear in Khlong verses. The findings of this study support historical and archeological evidences showing that in the area of northern Thailand, Tai and Mon-Khmer speaking groups had been in contact, linguistically and culturally, for a long time.