Lexical Variation in Tai Dam among Three Generations

Abstract

This research aimed to study lexical variation in Tai Dam among 3 generations in 4 provinces, namely Suphanburi, Nakhonpathom, Ratchaburi, and Phetchaburi. In collecting data, the researcher employed 650 semantic units. The informants were divided into 3 generations. It was found that in every area, the first generation used Tai Dam lexical items the most whereas the second and third generations used Tai Dam lexical items the least. Regarding the usage of other lexical items, the third generation used them the most whereas the first and second generations used them the least. Furthermore, it was found that the area where the three generations used Tai Dam lexical items the most was Donmaklua Sub-district, U-thong District, Suphanburi Province. On the other hand, the area where the three generations used Tai Dam lexical items the least was Huayyangton Sub-district, Pakto District, Ratchaburi Province. When comparing semantic groups used by the three generations, it was found that Tai Dam lexical items were used the most as question words, conjunctions, classifiers, and time markers. In contrast, when referring to things and places, other lexical items were mainly used. With respect to semantic variation, meanings of Tai Dam lexical items were narrowed whereas meanings of other lexical items were widened. This suggested that Tai Dam lexical items could disappear in the future.