A Study and Development of Guidelines for Transcribing and Interpreting Chinese Fortune Stick Texts: A Case Study of a Chinese Shrine in Saiburi District, Pattani
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Abstract
This qualitative research aimed to: 1) study the literary characteristics and linguistic forms of Chinese Fortune Stick texts; 2) analyze language usage, artistic techniques, and moral meanings; and 3) develop guidelines for transcribing Classical Chinese Fortune Stick texts into modern Chinese and translating them into Thai. The methodology involved documentary research analyzing 60 original texts (circa 1968) from the Chifu Wangye Shrine, combined with in-depth interviews with 3 key informants.
The findings revealed that: 1) regarding literary characteristics, the fortune stick texts clearly adhere to classical Chinese literary traditions, with 58 texts (96.70%) following the 7-character quatrain structure, and 55 texts (91.70%) referencing Chinese literature and folklore to construct narrative frameworks; 2) in terms of content, the texts function as a "life manual" aimed at fostering "Psychological Resilience." The analysis indicated that 96.70% of the texts (58 leaves) emphasize the concept of "Human Agency" to encourage confidence in one’s own actions, coupled with an acceptance of "Waiting for Timing" (51.70%), "Fatalism" (40.00%), and "Karma" (20.00%); and 3) regarding guideline development, the new knowledge contribution is the synthesis of a "5-Aspect Guideline for Transcription and Interpretation," consisting of transcription, modern Chinese paraphrasing, Thai translation, linguistic polishing, and cultural application. This guideline serves as a concrete model for revitalizing endangered intellectual heritage in the contemporary social context.
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