Sunee Kamnuansin. Eco environmental terminology and folk classification of Thai coast-dwellers a case study in Bang Khunsai subdistrict, Ban Laem district, Phetchaburi province. Doctoral Degree(Linguistics). Mahidol University. Mahidol University Library and Knowledge Center. : Mahidol University, 2012.
Eco environmental terminology and folk classification of Thai coast-dwellers a case study in Bang Khunsai subdistrict, Ban Laem district, Phetchaburi province
Abstract:
This study aims to explore Thai coast-dwellers perceptions and classification of eco-environment, and to demonstrate their culture through an analysis of lexical terms. Bang Khunsai Subdistrict, Ban Laem District in Phetchaburi Province was the area under study. It is an area on the coast of the upper Gulf of Thailand with several traditional coastal villages and great ecological diversity. Word data in the semantic domains of landforms, soil, water, wind, coastal plants and marine animals, was elicited from locals living in a coastal village in Bang Khunsai from the end of 2009 to the end of 2010. An ethnosemantic approach was applied for use in the study. The semantic field methodology comprised an analysis of componential meaning and folk taxonomy in order to analyze the word data. The findings show the coastal villagers perceptions and classification system of local eco-environment associated with each semantic domain, precisely illustrated by taxonomy. A part of the study demonstrates that the coastal locals possess a great deal of specialized knowledge about the sea. It also uncovers the existence of numerous and complex words for indentifying water phenomena and waves used by locals. In addition, they are able to identify distinguishing features of various coastal plants and marine animals based on the determinants of physical and cultural properties. The existence of terms and the classification of things in relation to the environment also reflects the coast-dwellers cultural way of living, such as the usage and division of land, their ways of making a living, time of working, utilization of resources, and beliefs regarding the sea and fishing activities. This current study provides an insight into the local ecological knowledge system and culture of the coastal Thai community. Therefore, the research outcome can contribute to the body of folk marine knowledge. It can also lead to linkages between local classification knowledge and scientific classification.
Mahidol University. Mahidol University Library and Knowledge Center