Cognitive Semantics of Animal Names in the Northern Dialect, Chiangrai Province

Abstract

This research article consisted of the following objectives: 1) to study the semantic types of animal names in the northern Thai dialect, Chiangrai Province according to the cognitive semantics; 2) to study the concepts reflected in the use of animal names in northern Thai dialect, Chiangrai Province according to cognitive semantics. The study employed a qualitative research method. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect data from three Northern Thai language users using animal images and names, totaling 200 words. The findings of the study are presented in a descriptive manner.

The research results were found as follows: (1) From studying the semantic types of animal names in the northern Thai dialect, Chiangrai Province according to the cognitive semantics are as follows: the most significant noun categories were 61%, followed by 33.50% specific meaning and 5.5% of metaphorical meanings, respectively. It was found that the meaning of the animal names in the Northern Thai languages was divided into 16 aspects, namely 1) characteristics, 2) color, 3) taste, 4) smell, 5) disease, 6) sex, 7) pattern, 8) quantity, 9) sound, 10) weight, 11) place, 12) fight, 13) love, 14) equipment, 15) fear, and 16) surface conditions.Specific meanings were found two types: form, characteristic and property definition, and as for metaphorical meaning were found eight types of metaphors; 1) objects, 2) people and organs, 3) plants, 4) behaviors of people or animals, 5) food/flavors, 6) spirits/things that are tangible or intangible, 7) movement, and 8) natural phenomenon; (2) The concepts reflected in the use of animal names in the Northern Thai dialect, Chiangrai Province according to cognitive semantics, it was found that the metaphors of language reflected differences in the perceptions or concepts of natural language users, ethnicity languages, natural, values, way of life, beliefs, native speaker identity, culture, and society. As well as various aspects of the meaning of each type of the northern Thai people, Chiangrai province.