The Differences of Single-Character Chinese Loanwords in Thai Writing

Abstract

This article aimed to explain the differences of single-character Chinese loanwords in Thai writing in 2 volumes of the Royal Institute Dictionary: the 2011 Royal Institute Dictionary (2013) and Dictionary of New words Vol.1 & 2 (2014). According to the results, the total of differences of single-character Chinese loanwords in Thai writing is 17 categories. The 菜 (cài) is the most used category with 11 different words, accounting for 17.18 percent of 64 words. This category also shows the most four types of including the syllable of “ฉ่าย” (cà:i) “ช่าย” (câ:i)  “ไช” (cai) and “ไช้” (cái). Especially, the syllable of “ฉ่าย” (cà:i) and “เต้า” (dâo) are the most found in 6 different words of their use. The differences of single-character Chinese loanwords in Thai writing are identified by three orthography factors: 1) accent of Chinese dialects, 2) semantics, and 3) unsystematic written pattern. Thai language users should learn and memorize the differences of single-character Chinese loanwords in Thai writing aiming to achieve accuracy and efficiency in communication.