The Meanings of /kàp/ in the Sukhothai Inscriptions: An Analysis of Semantic and Syntactic Contexts

Authors

  • Karnwiruch Nuchpraharn Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University
  • Vipas Pothipath Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69598/artssu.2023.1745.

Keywords:

the word /kàp/, The Sukhothai Thai, Polysemy, Contextual Meanings, Conceptual Meaning

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of this article are to investigate the contextual meanings of /kàp/ in the Sukhothai period by analyzing its contexts from both semantic and syntactic perspectives, and to study the conceptual meaning of /kàp/ which can relate to the contextual meanings of the inscription.

Methods: The data has been collected from the book “The Inscription Collection Vol. 8: The Sukhothai Stone Inscriptions” which was published by the Fine Arts Department in 2005. This study only collects Thai texts in the Sukhothai Thai script and the Sukhothai Khom script. Afterwards, the semantic and syntactic contexts of each surrounding statement are analyzed to examine the contextual meanings, and relation to other meanings to form the conceptual meaning of /kàp/.

Results: The research results indicate that there are 55 statements found in 17 Sukhothai inscriptions. The word /kàp/ can be categorized into 3 groups according to their functions, and can be construed as having 4 meanings. As a PREPOSITION, there are 2 meanings: 1) ‘together with/in accompany with’, and 2) ‘showing destination’. As a NOUN PHRASE CONJUNCTION, it means 3) ‘and/including’. As a NOUN, it means 4) ‘side dishes/food that is eaten or served with rice’. Furthermore, these 4 meanings are related to a single CONCEPTUAL MEANING of ‘participating in a particular situation’. In other words, all distinct meanings are influenced by both semantic and syntactic contexts; consequently, these 4 meanings are so-called CONTEXTUAL MEANINGS. In conclusion, /kàp/ is not a HOMONYM but a POLYSEMOUS WORD.

Application of this study: The research results can be applied to the study of language change in both diachronic and synchronic approaches. The analysis of semantic and syntactic contexts may be essential for considering the meanings of grammatical words because these words have no clear meaning; therefore, the contexts in which they appear must be taken into account. Moreover, the results can also be developed into the methodology of Grammaticalization.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Bandhumedha, D. (1986). The Use of Conjunctions in the Ratanakosin Period. Doctoral Dissertation, Ph.D. in Thai, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. (In Thai)

Chotitearrawong, J. (1981). The Usage of Conjunctions in the Sukhothai, Ayudh-ya and Ratanakosin Periods: A Comparative Study. Doctoral Dissertation, Ph.D. in Thai, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. (In Thai)

Croft, W. & Cruse, D. A. (2004). Cognitive Linguistics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Cruse, D. A. (1988). “Word Meaning and Encyclopedic Knowledge”. In W. Hüllen & R. Schulze (Ed.), Understanding the Lexicon: Meaning, Sense and World Knowledge in Lexical Semantics, pp. 73-84, New York: Max Niemeyer Verlag.

Cruse, D. A. (2000). Meaning in Language: An Introduction to Semantics and Pragmatics. Oxford University Press.

Evans, V. & Green, M. (2006). Cognitive Linguistics: An Introduction. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

Fine Arts Department. (2005). The Eighth Series of Stone Inscriptions: The Sukhothai Stone Inscriptions. Bangkok: Fine Arts Department. (In Thai).

Harley, H. (2010). “Thematic Roles”. In P. Hogan (ed.), The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the Language Sciences, pp. 861-862, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Keawuthai, A. (2019). Connectors in Southern Thai Dialect: A Historical Study. Doctoral Dissertation, Ph.D. in Thai, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. (In Thai)

Langacker, R. W. (1987). Foundations of Cognitive Grammar: Volume I: Theoretical Prerequisites. Stanford: Stanford University Press.

Langacker, R. W. (1991). Concept, Image, and Symbol: The Cognitive Basis of Grammar. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter.

Nida, E. A. (1979). Componential analysis of meaning: An introduction to semantics structures, 2nd ed. The Hague: Mouton Publishers.

Nuchpraharn, K. & Pothipath, V. (2023). Figure 1 /kàp/ in the Sukhothai period has 4 distinctive meanings which connected to a single Conceptual Meaning.

Nuchpraharn, K. & Pothipath, V. (2023). Figure 2 A proportional data of /kàp/ meanings in the Sukhothai period.

Nuchpraharn, K. & Pothipath, V. (2023). Figure 3 A Comparison between the concepts of ‘showing of destination’ in two distinctive focus.

Office of the Royal Society. (2017). Dictionary of Linguistics (General Linguistics) by Office of the Royal Society. Bangkok: Abiz Intergroup. (In Thai)

Panupong, V. (1981). The Structure of Thai. Bangkok: Ramkhamhaeng University Press. (In Thai)

Paholayuth, N. (1983). The Use of Prepositions in the Sukhothai, Ayudhya and Ratanakosin Periods: A Comparative Study. Doctoral Dissertation, Ph.D. in Thai, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. (In Thai)

Phraya Upakit Silapasan. (2005). Principles of Thai Language. Bangkok: Thai Watana Panich Press. (In Thai)

Poolrak, A. (2019). Expressions in Thai literature in relation to expressions in Pali and Sanskrit literature. Doctoral Dissertation, Ph.D. in Thai, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. (In Thai)

Pothipath, V. (2014). Lexicalization in Thai. Journal of Language and Linguistics, 32(2), 1-24. (In Thai)

Rattanaphanusorn, R. (2006). Semantic Extension of Visual Perception Verbs in Thai. Doctoral Dissertation, Ph.D. in Linguistics, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. (In Thai)

Sanah, N. (2013). Grammaticalization of /dûaj/. Master Thesis, M.A. in Thai, Chulalongkorn University. (In Thai)

Sapphasit, W. (2019). The Development of the Word /l∂∂y/ in Thai. Doctoral Dissertation, Ph.D. in Thai, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. (In Thai)

Saralamba, C. (1995). A conceptual study of /khăw/. Doctoral Dissertation, Ph.D. in Linguistics, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. (In Thai)

Tawichai, S. (2020). The Preposition /k∑̀:/: A Historical Study. Doctoral Dissertation, Ph.D. in Thai, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. (In Thai)

The Royal Institute. (2013). Royal Dictionary 2011, in Honor of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the Auspicious Occasion of the 7th Royal Birthday Celebration, 5 December 2011. Bangkok: The Royal Institute. (In Thai)

Thepkanjana, K. (2016). Grammaticalization. Bangkok: Project of Publishing Academic Works, Research Department, Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University. (In Thai)

Thiamthan, P. (2018). Development of the Word /bon/ in Thai. Doctoral Dissertation, Ph.D. in Thai, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. (In Thai)

Yaowapat, N. (2008). The Development of the Multiple Functions of /sin/ in Thai. Doctoral Dissertation, Ph.D. in Linguistics, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. (In Thai)

Downloads

Published

28-12-2023

How to Cite

Nuchpraharn, K., & Pothipath, V. (2023). The Meanings of /kàp/ in the Sukhothai Inscriptions: An Analysis of Semantic and Syntactic Contexts. Journal of Arts and Thai Studies, 45(3), E1745. https://doi.org/10.69598/artssu.2023.1745.

Issue

Section

Research Articles