An Ethnosemantic Study of Village Place Names in the Songkhla Lake Basin

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Place names might be considered as linguistic evidence that contains the area’s historical origin. An analysis of place names, hence, may result in further understanding local history. When combining such analysis with local interpretations of place names through their storytelling, this ethnosemantic study might reveal the historical depth and richness of the area that may be otherwise hidden in the explicit meaning of the place names.

Methods: This study is qualitative research that aims to explore and study the place names of the villages along the Songkhla Lake Basin, Songkhla province, across 4 districts, 56 communities, and 150 villages with the linguistic concept of ethnosemantics. The study was carried out through interviews with local community leaders.

Results: The research findings revealed the structures of village names in both single and compound structures. The most prevalent was a two-semantic composition, which included both the head words and the modifiers, particularly the key word in words such as Bo, Phang, and Tha. The most prevalent way of naming was to refer to natural phenomena, places, or important people. Finally, the reflection obtained from the naming indicated that the majority of people practice Buddhism and other religions that coexisted in the area, specifically Islam. In addition, the Chinese population emerged as the most prominent in the area. Furthermore, ways of life and occupations can be discerned from naming, which illustrates the diversity of people’s lives, including rice farming, orchard keeping, fishing, and so forth. This reflects the demographical richness in the area and may be linked to the prosperity of the Suvarnabhumi region as inferred from an analysis of place names.

Applications of this Study: The research findings could be synthesized into knowledge for the local people, enabling them to appreciate the significance of their regional resources and to eventually foster the conservation of these resources in the future.

Conclusion: The research on village names in the coastal districts of Songkhla province (Mueang Songkhla, Ranot, Sathing Phra, and Singhanakorn) reveals that naming practices reflect the region’s geography, history, culture, and natural environment. Most villages are named after natural features, such as water-related terms like Bo, Phang, and Tha, indicating the area’s strong connection to water. Naming after natural phenomena is the most common strategy, followed by names rooted in historical events, important individuals, or nearby landmarks like temples. The influence of Buddhism is particularly notable as many village names reflect Buddhist stories and practices, even in religiously diverse areas. Ethnic diversity, especially the presence of Chinese communities, also plays a role in naming traditions, reflecting Songkhla’s historical origins. Additionally, village names often reflect the agricultural lifestyle of locals, referencing occupations like farming and fishing, as well as local flora. Thus, these naming patterns can indicate the cultural and environmental identity of the population in the Songkhla Lake Basin.