Componential Analysis: Principles, Benefits, Limitations, And Researches Employing Componential Analysis To Investigate The Semantic Features Of Thai Words

Abstract

Componential Analysis Involves Breaking Down The Semantic Components Of Individual Words To Highlight Their Similarities And Differences In Meaning. This Article Explores Four Key Aspects: (1) The Principles Of Componential Analysis, (2) The Procedures For Analyzing Semantic Components, (3) The Benefits And Limitations Of Componential Analysis, And     (4) Researches Applying This Approach To The Study Of Semantic Components In Thai Words. The Findings Demonstrate Both The Advantages And Limitations Of This Framework: (1) It Clarifies The Semantic Relationships Among Words, Revealing How Certain Words Are Closely Related In Meaning; (2) When The Semantic Components Of Words Within A Group Differ, The Meanings Of These Words Diverge From Other Groups While Maintaining Semantic Relations; (3) It Is Particularly Valuable For Analyzing Semantic Components When Studying Connotative Meanings; And (4) It Provides Insights Into Semantic Relationships, Such As Synonyms, Antonyms, And Metonymy. Nevertheless, This Framework Has Its Limitations. Its Reliance On Binary Features (+ Or -) To Describe Entities Can Be Restrictive, As Real-World Entities May Lack Certain Attributes, Resulting In Gaps In Explanatory Power. Despite These Limitations, Componential Analysis Remains A Widely Used Approach In Thai Language Research. It Is Commonly Applied In Two Ways: (1) As A Direct Method For Analyzing The Semantic Components Of Words, Known As The Classical Approach, And (2) As Part Of Folk Taxonomy Within The Framework Of Ethnosemantics.