Grouping of Tai Languages in Nam Paw Basin, Khamkeut District, Bolikhamxai Province, Lao People’s Democratic Republic by Using Criteria of Tonal Sound Changes

Abstract

This research was aimed at studying tonal systems in order to divide Tai dialects in Nam Paw basin into subgroups. The fieldwork data were collected through interviews with informants of each ethnic group living in Khamkeut district, Bolikhamxai province, Lao People’s Democratic Republic. These ethnic groups consisted of Tai-thaeng, Tai-mot, Tai-moei, Phu-tai, Nho, and Lao. All of the collected lexical items were analyzed and compared in terms of how their tones changed.  For the Southwestern Tai group in Nam Paw basin, it can be concluded as follows. The Tai P Group, which was examined in terms of the Proto tonal splits of *A and the Proto tonal splits of * BCD, and the Proto tonal mergers of B = DL or B ≠ DL, can be divided into two groups: 1) in Tai-thaeng, there are tonal splits of A1234, tonal splits of BCDL123-4 and tonal mergers of B=LD; 2) in Tai-mot and Tai-moei, there are tonal splits of A123-4, tonal splits of BC123-4 and tonal mergers of B ≠ DL.  Tai PH Group, which was examined in terms of the Proto tonal splits of *A and the Proto tonal splits of * BCD, and the Proto tonal mergers B = DL or B ≠ DL, can be divided into three groups: 1) in Phu-tai, there are tonal splits of A1234, tonal splits of BCDL123-4, and tonal mergers of B≠ DL; 2) in Nho, there are tonal splits of A123-4, tonal splits of BCDL123-4, and tonal mergers of B ≠ DL; 3) in Lao, there are tonal splits of A1-23-4, tonal splits of CDS1-234, DL123-4, and tonal mergers of B ≠ DL.