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{{Short description|Honorific phenomena in Thai}}
[[Honorifics (linguistics)|Honorifics]] are a class of [[word]]s or grammatical [[morpheme]]s that encode a wide variety of social relationships between interlocutors or between interlocutors and referents.<ref name= "Foley">Foley, William. ''Anthropological Linguistics: An Introduction''. Oxford: Blackwell, 1997.</ref> Honorific phenomena in [[Thai language|Thai]] include honorific [[Register (sociolinguistics)|registers]], honorific [[pronominal]]s, and honorific [[Grammatical particle|particles]].
[[Honorifics (linguistics)|Honorifics]] are a class of [[word]]s or grammatical [[morpheme]]s that encode a wide variety of social relationships between interlocutors or between interlocutors and referents.<ref name= "Foley">Foley, William. ''Anthropological Linguistics: An Introduction''. Oxford: Blackwell, 1997.</ref> Honorific phenomena in [[Thai language|Thai]] include honorific [[Register (sociolinguistics)|registers]], honorific [[pronominal]]s, and honorific [[Grammatical particle|particles]].


==Historical development==
==Historical development==
'''Thai honorifics''', although not as extensive as Japanese honorifics, date back to the [[Sukhothai Kingdom]], a period which lasted from 1238 to 1420 CE<ref name="Khan">Khanittanan, Wilaiwan. "An aspect of the origins and development of linguistic politeness in Thai". ''Broadening the horizon of linguistic politeness''. Ed. Robin T. Lakoff and Sachiko Ide. Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing, 2005. 315-335.</ref> During the Sukhothai period, honorifics appeared in the form of [[Kinship terminology|kinship terms]].<ref name="JSS_071_0g"/> The Sukhothai period also saw the introduction of many [[Khmer language|Khmer]] and [[Pali]] loanwords to Thai. Later, in the [[Ayutthaya Kingdom]] (1351 to 1767 CE), a new form of honorific speech evolved. While kinship terms continued to be used, a royal [[vocabulary]] known as "raja-sap" ({{lang-th|ราชาศัพท์}}; {{RTGS|Rachasap}}) emerged.<ref>{{cite web
'''Thai honorifics''' date back to the [[Sukhothai Kingdom]], a period which lasted from 1238 to 1420 CE<ref name="Khan">Khanittanan, Wilaiwan. "An aspect of the origins and development of linguistic politeness in Thai". ''Broadening the horizon of linguistic politeness''. Ed. Robin T. Lakoff and Sachiko Ide. Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing, 2005. 315-335.</ref> During the Sukhothai period, honorifics appeared in the form of [[Kinship terminology|kinship terms]].<ref name="JSS_071_0g"/> The Sukhothai period also saw the introduction of many [[Khmer language|Khmer]] and [[Pali]] loanwords to Thai. Later, in the [[Ayutthaya Kingdom]] (1351 to 1767 CE), a new form of honorific speech evolved. While kinship terms continued to be used, a royal [[vocabulary]] known as "[[Rachasap|raja-sap]]" ({{langx|th|ราชาศัพท์}}; {{RTGS|Rachasap}}) emerged.<ref>{{cite web
|url= http://thai-language.com/id/590084/|title= Royal Words ||date= October 9, 2013|website= Internet resource for the Thai language
|url= http://thai-language.com/id/590084/|title= Royal Words |date= October 9, 2013|website= Internet resource for the Thai language
|publisher= thai-language.com|accessdate= 4 October 2013|quote= }}</ref> The Raja-sap, an honorific register, was created as a way for commoners and aristocrats alike to talk to and about the [[Monarchy of Thailand|king of Thailand]]. Soon after its creation, the use of royal vocabulary was extended to address all members of the royal family as well as aristocrats. At the same time, a [[cleric]]al vocabulary used to talk to or about monks arose, very similar to the raja-sap. With the development of royal and clerical vocabularies, means for honorific speech increased significantly. The [[Bangkok]] period, from 1782 to the present, saw even greater expansion of the raja-sap as it became the formal, or polite, way to address all peoples or topics. Specifically, [[lexical item]]s from honorific registers replaced native Thai [[pronoun]]s, resulting in an entirely new set of pronominal forms. Kinship terms continued to be used as honorifics, and a new type of honorific emerged as well, polite particles.
|publisher= thai-language.com|accessdate= 4 October 2013|quote= }}</ref> The Raja-sap, an honorific register, was created as a way for commoners and aristocrats alike to talk to and about the [[Monarchy of Thailand|king of Thailand]]. Soon after its creation, the use of royal vocabulary was extended to address all members of the royal family as well as aristocrats. At the same time, a [[cleric]]al vocabulary used to talk to or about monks arose, very similar to the raja-sap. With the development of royal and clerical vocabularies, means for honorific speech increased significantly. The [[Bangkok]] period, from 1782 to the present, saw even greater expansion of the raja-sap as it became the formal, or polite, way to address all peoples or topics. Specifically, [[lexical item]]s from honorific registers replaced native Thai [[pronoun]]s, resulting in an entirely new set of pronominal forms. Kinship terms continued to be used as honorifics, and a new type of honorific emerged as well, polite particles.


==Honorific registers==
==Honorific registers==
<!-- "Merit (Buddhism)" links here -->
The roots of Thai honorific registers lie in Khmer and Khmero-Indic (Pali or [[Sanskrit]] words borrowed first into Khmer, then from Khmer into Thai) [[loanword]]s.<ref name="Khan"/> Khmer and Khmero-Indic words were originally borrowed into Thai by an educated, Thai upper class, specifically kings and monks, in order to discuss [[Buddhism]]. When the need for honorific registers arose, the Thai people turned again to Khmer. Borrowing heavily from Khmer, the Thai constructed a royal vocabulary, a large [[lexicon]] of Khmer and Khmero-Indic words, appropriate for addressing the monarchy. At the same time, a clerical vocabulary emerged, much smaller but similar in function and origin to the royal vocabulary. The clerical vocabulary, also composed mainly of borrowings from Khmer, enabled the common people to communicate with and about monks. Lexical items from standard Thai, royal vocabulary, and clerical vocabulary are shown side by side in the table below:
The roots of Thai honorific registers lie in Khmer and Khmero-Indic (Pali or [[Sanskrit]] words borrowed first into Khmer, then from Khmer into Thai) [[loanword]]s.<ref name="Khan"/> Khmer and Khmero-Indic words were originally borrowed into Thai by an educated, Thai upper class, specifically kings and monks, in order to discuss [[Buddhism]]. When the need for honorific registers arose, the Thai people turned again to Khmer. Borrowing heavily from Khmer, the Thai constructed a royal vocabulary, a large [[lexicon]] of Khmer and Khmero-Indic words, appropriate for addressing the monarchy. At the same time, a clerical vocabulary emerged, much smaller but similar in function and origin to the royal vocabulary. The clerical vocabulary, also composed mainly of borrowings from Khmer, enabled the common people to communicate with and about monks. Lexical items from standard Thai, royal vocabulary, and clerical vocabulary are shown side by side in the table below:
{| class="wikitable IPA"
{| class="wikitable IPA"
Line 16: Line 18:
|-
|-
| 'hand'
| 'hand'
| ''mɯː'' (มือ)
| /mɯ̄ː/ (มือ)
| ''mɯː'' (มือ)
| /mɯ̄ː/ (มือ)
| ''pʰrá-hàt'' (พระหัตถ์)
| /pʰráʔ hàt/ (พระหัตถ์)
|-
|-
| 'house'
| 'house'
| ''bâːn'' (บ้าน)
| /bâːn/ (บ้าน)
| ''kù-tì'' (กุฎิ)
| /kùʔ.tìʔ/ (กุฎิ)
| ''wāŋ'' (วัง)
| /wāŋ/ (วัง)
|-
|-
| 'mother'
| 'mother'
| ''mɛ̂ː'' (แม่)
| /mɛ̂ː/ (แม่)
| ''jōːm-mɛ̂ː'' (โยมแม่)
| /jōːm mɛ̂ː/ (โยมแม่)
| ''pʰrá-tɕʰōn-ná-nīː'' (พระชนนี)
| /pʰráʔ tɕʰōn.náʔ.nīː/ (พระชนนี)
|-
|-
| 'to give'
| 'to give'
| ''hâj'' (ให้)
| /hâj/ (ให้)
| ''tʰà-wǎːj'' (ถวาย)
| /tʰàʔ.wǎːj/ (ถวาย)
| ''tʰà-wǎːj'' (ถวาย)
| /tʰàʔ.wǎːj/ (ถวาย)
|-
|-
| 'to speak'
| 'to speak'
| ''pʰûːt'' (พูด)
| /pʰûːt/ (พูด)
| ''pʰûːt'' (พูด)
| /pʰûːt/ (พูด)
| ''tràt'' (ตรัส)
| /tràt/ (ตรัส)
|-
|-
| 'to sleep'
| 'to sleep'
| ''nɔːn'' (นอน)
| /nɔ̄ːn/ (นอน)
| ''tɕām-wàt'' (จำวัด)
| /tɕām wát/ (จำวัด)
| ''bān-tʰōm'' (บรรทม)
| /bān.tʰōm/ (บรรทม)
|}
|}


==Honorific pronominals==
==Honorific pronominals==
Thai exhibits [[pronoun avoidance]], often using kinship or status terms instead, particularly for social equals or superiors.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://wals.info/feature/45A#2/23.1/149.1 | title=WALS Online - Feature 45A: Politeness Distinctions in Pronouns }}</ref>

===Personal pronouns===
===Personal pronouns===
[[Personal pronoun]]s are the most numerous and complex of pronominal forms in Thai. Personal pronouns may make the following [[Semantics|semantic]] distinctions:<ref name= "Cooke">Cooke, Joseph R. "Pronominal Reference in Thai, Burmese, and Vietnamese." ''University of California Publications in Linguistics 52'' (1968): 1-68.</ref>
[[Personal pronoun]]s are the most numerous and complex of pronominal forms in Thai. Personal pronouns may make the following [[Semantics|semantic]] distinctions:<ref name= "Cooke">Cooke, Joseph R. "Pronominal Reference in Thai, Burmese, and Vietnamese." ''University of California Publications in Linguistics 52'' (1968): 1-68.</ref>
Line 66: Line 70:


===Kinship terms===
===Kinship terms===
Kinship terms are used pronominally to elevate or demonstrate solidarity with an addressee.<ref name= "Khan"/> To address a listener as kin is, in effect, to confer the listener with the same status as the aforementioned kin. Generally, kinship terms contain both literal and displaced meanings.<ref name= "Cooke"/> Kinship terms are considered literal in cases of blood kin, [[affinal kin]], and [[teknonymy]]. They are considered displaced when used with kinlike individuals: intimate friends of kin or kin of intimate friends. When using kinship terms, age is critical.<ref name= "Khan"/> Speakers must estimate the age of an addressee to determine his or her generation and choose an appropriate kinship term.
Kinship terms are used pronominally to elevate or demonstrate solidarity with an addressee.<ref name= "Khan"/> To address a listener as kin is, in effect, to confer the listener with the same status as the aforementioned kin. Generally, kinship terms contain both literal and displaced meanings.<ref name= "Cooke"/> Kinship terms are considered literal in cases of blood kin, [[affinal kin]], and [[teknonymy]]. They are considered displaced when used with kinlike individuals: intimate friends of kin or kin of intimate friends. When using kinship terms, age is critical.<ref name= "Khan"/> Speakers must estimate the age of an addressee to determine his or her generation and choose an appropriate kinship term.
Kinship terms commonly used as honorific pronominals are summarized in the table below.<ref name= "Smyth">Smyth, David. ''Thai: An Essential Grammar''. London: Routledge, 2002.</ref>
Kinship terms commonly used as honorific pronominals are summarized in the table below.<ref name= "Smyth">Smyth, David. ''Thai: An Essential Grammar''. London: Routledge, 2002.</ref>
{| class="wikitable IPA"
{| class="wikitable IPA"
Line 74: Line 78:
|-
|-
| 'father'
| 'father'
| ''pʰɔ̂ː'' (พ่อ)
| พ่อ {{IPA|/pʰɔ̂ː/}}
|-
|-
| 'mother'
| 'mother'
| ''mɛ̂ː'' (แม่)
| แม่ {{IPA|/mɛ̂ː/}}
|-
|-
| 'older brother/sister'
| 'older brother/sister'
| ''pʰîː'' (พี่)
| พี่ {{IPA|/pʰîː/}}
|-
|-
| 'younger brother/sister'
| 'younger brother/sister'
| ''nɔ́ːŋ'' (น้อง)
| น้อง {{IPA|/nɔ́ːŋ/}}
|-
|-
| 'child'
| 'child'
| ''lûːk'' (ลูก)
| ลูก {{IPA|/lûːk/}}
|-
|-
| 'grandchild/niece/nephew'
| 'grandchild/niece/nephew'
| หลาน {{IPA|/lǎːn/}}
| ''lǎːn'' (หลาน)
|-
|-
| 'great grandchild'
| 'great grandchild'
| เหลน {{IPA|/lěːn/}}
| ''lěːn'' (เหลน)
|-
|-
| 'great great grandchild'
| 'great great grandchild'
| ''lɯ˧˥'' (ลื่อ)
| ลื่อ {{IPA|/lɯ̂ː/}}
|-
|-
| 'uncle (mother/father's older brother)'
| 'uncle (mother/father's older brother)'
| ''lūŋ'' (ลุง)
| ลุง {{IPA|/lūŋ/}}
|-
|-
| 'aunt (mother/father's older sister)'
| 'aunt (mother/father's older sister)'
| ''pǎː'' (ป้า)
| ป้า {{IPA|/pâː/}}
|-
|-
| 'aunt/uncle (mother's younger brother/sister/cousin)'
| 'aunt/uncle (mother's younger brother/sister/cousin)'
| ''náː'' (น้า)
| น้า {{IPA|/náː/}}
|-
|-
| 'aunt/uncle (father's younger brother/sister/cousin)'
| 'aunt/uncle (father's younger brother/sister/cousin)'
| ''?āː'' (อา)
| อา {{IPA|/ʔāː/}}
|-
|-
| 'grandfather (father's father)'
| 'grandfather (father's father)'
| ''pùː'' (ปู่)
| ปู่ {{IPA|/pùː/}}
|-
|-
| 'grandmother (father's mother)'
| 'grandmother (father's mother)'
| ''jâː'' (ย่า)
| ย่า {{IPA|/jâː/}}
|-
|-
| 'grandfather (mother's father)'
| 'grandfather (mother's father)'
| ''tāː'' (ตา)
| ตา {{IPA|/tāː/}}
|-
|-
| 'grandmother (mother's mother)'
| 'grandmother (mother's mother)'
| ''jāːj'' (ยาย)
| ยาย {{IPA|/jāːj/}}
|-
| 'great grandparent'
| ทวด {{IPA|/tʰûat/}}
|-
| 'great great grandparent'
| เทียด {{IPA|/tʰîat/}}
|}
|}
Speakers may demonstrate additional respect by adding the polite title ''khun'' before any kinship term. Kinship terms are commonly followed by personal names or nicknames.
Speakers may demonstrate additional respect by adding the polite title ''khun'' (คุณ) before any kinship term. Kinship terms are commonly followed by personal names or nicknames.


===Status terms===
===Status terms===
Status terms denote referents in terms of occupation or status.<ref name= "Khan"/> While some status terms are used as first, second, or third person pronouns, others are restricted to second and third person only. Many pronominal status terms are preceded by titles, such as [[Thai royal and noble titles#Khun|''khun'' or ''thân'']]. Status terms may also be used as titles before given names.<ref name="JSS_071_0g">{{cite journal
Status terms denote referents in terms of occupation or status.<ref name= "Khan"/> While some status terms are used as first, second, or third person pronouns, others are restricted to second and third person only. Many pronominal status terms are preceded by titles. Status terms may also be used as titles before given names.<ref name="JSS_071_0g">{{cite journal
|author=
|last= Terwiel|first= Barend Jan
|last= Terwiel|first= Barend Jan
|year= 1983
|year= 1983
Line 141: Line 150:
! English gloss
! English gloss
|-
|-
| {{lang|th|อาจารย์ ''ʔāːtɕāːn'' }}
| {{lang|th|อาจารย์}} {{IPA|/ʔāː.tɕāːn/}}
| 'teacher/professor'
| 'teacher/professor'
|-
|-
| {{lang|th|ครู ''kʰrūː'' }}
| {{lang|th|ครู}} {{IPA|/kʰrūː/}}
| 'teacher'
| 'teacher'
|-
|-
| {{lang|th|หมอ ''mɔ̌ː'' }}
| {{lang|th|หมอ}} {{IPA|/mɔ̌ː/}}
| 'doctor'
| 'doctor'
|-
|-
| {{lang|th|พยาบาล ''pʰájābāːn' }}
| {{lang|th|พยาบาล}} {{IPA|/pʰáʔ.jāː.bāːn/}}
| 'nurse'
| 'nurse'
|-
|-
| {{lang|th|กระเป๋า ''kràpǎw'' }}
| {{lang|th|กระเป๋า}} {{IPA|/kràʔ.pǎw/}}
| 'bus fare collector' (pocketbook)
| 'bus fare collector' (pocketbook)
|-
|-
| {{lang|th|สามล้อ ''sǎːmlɔ́ː'' }}
| {{lang|th|สามล้อ}} {{IPA|/sǎːm lɔ́ː/}}
| 'pedicab driver' (tricycle)
| 'pedicab driver' (tricycle)
|-
|-
| {{lang|th|แท็กซี่ ''tʰɛ́ksîː'' }}
| {{lang|th|แท็กซี่}} {{IPA|/tʰɛ́k.sîː/}}
| 'taxi driver' (taxicab)
| 'taxi driver' (taxicab)
|-
|-
|{{lang|th|ตุ๊ก ตุ๊ก ''túk túk'' }}
|{{lang|th|ตุ๊กตุ๊ก}} {{IPA|/túk.túk/}}
| 'motorized pedicab driver'
| 'motorized pedicab driver'
|-
|-
| {{lang|th|ท่านทูต ''tʰân tʰûːt'' }}
| {{lang|th|ท่านทูต}} {{IPA|/tʰâːn tʰûːt/}}
| 'Mister/Madame Ambassador'
| 'Mister/Madame Ambassador'
|-
|-
| {{lang|th|ท่านอธิบดี ''tʰân àtʰíbɔdīː'' }}
| {{lang|th|ท่านอธิบดี}} {{IPA|/tʰâːn ʔàʔ.tʰíʔ.bɔ̄ː.dīː/}}
| 'Mister/Madame Director General'
| 'Mister/Madame Director General'
|-
|-
| {{lang|th|ท่านอธิการ ''tʰân àtʰíkāːn'' }}
| {{lang|th|ท่านอธิการบดี}} {{IPA|/tʰâːn ʔàʔ.tʰíʔ.kāːn bɔ̄ː.dīː/}}
| 'Mister/Madame Rector' (of university)
| 'Mister/Madame Rector' (of university)
|-
|-
| {{lang|th|ท่านรัฐมนตรี ''tʰân ráttʰamōntrīː'' }}
| {{lang|th|ท่านรัฐมนตรี}} {{IPA|/tʰâːn rát.tʰàʔ.mōn.trīː/}}
| 'Mister/Madame Minister' (of state)
| 'Mister/Madame Minister' (of state)
|-
|-
| {{lang|th|ท่านนายกฯ ''tʰân nāːjók'' }}
| {{lang|th|ท่านนายกรัฐมนตรี}} {{IPA|/tʰâːn nāː.jók rát.tʰàʔ.mōn.trīː/}}
| 'Mister/Madame Prime Minister'
| 'Mister/Madame Prime Minister'
|}
|}


===Names===
===Names===
In Thai, a person's full name consists of a [[given name]] followed by a [[surname]] or [[family name]].<ref name= "Cooke"/> In addition, most individuals have a nickname. As pronominals, given names are used most frequently in second person form. Given names are often preceded by the [[Thai royal and noble titles#Khun .28courtesy title.29|courtesy title ''khun'']] when addressing friends or acquaintances. Given names are sometimes truncated to convey mild informality. Nicknames, like given names, are used most often in second person. They generally do not take titles. Nicknames are a friendly, affectionate way to show intimacy between interlocuters.
In Thai, a person's full name consists of a [[given name]] followed by a [[surname]] or [[family name]].<ref name= "Cooke"/> In addition, most individuals have a nickname. As pronominals, given names are used most frequently in second person form. Given names are often preceded by the courtesy title ''[[Khun (courtesy title)|khun]]'' when addressing friends or acquaintances. Given names are sometimes truncated to convey mild informality. Nicknames, like given names, are used most often in second person. They generally do not take titles. Nicknames are a friendly, affectionate way to show intimacy between interlocuters.


==Honorific particles==
==Honorific particles==
Honorific particles are added to the end of an [[utterance]] or [[clause]] to show respect to the addressee.<ref name= "Kummer">Kummer, Manfred. "Politeness in Thai". ''Politeness in Language: Studies in its History, Theory, and Practice''. Ed. Richard J. Watts, Sachiko Ide, and Konrad Ehlich. Berlin: Moutun de Gruyter, 1992. 325-336.</ref> Honorific particles may exhibit the following semantic distinctions:
Honorific particles are added to the end of an [[utterance]] or [[clause]] to show respect to the addressee.<ref name= "Kummer">Kummer, Manfred. "Politeness in Thai". ''Politeness in Language: Studies in its History, Theory, and Practice''. Ed. Richard J. Watts, Sachiko Ide, and Konrad Ehlich. Berlin: Moutun de Gruyter, 1992. 325-336.</ref> Honorific particles may exhibit the following semantic distinctions:
#Sex: male, female, neutral
#Gender: male, female, neutral
#Status: superior, equal, inferior
#Status: superior, equal, inferior
#Social mood: a continuum ranging from formal at one end to extremely intimate at the other
#Social mood: a continuum ranging from formal at one end to extremely intimate at the other
#[[Illocutionary act|Illocutionary force]]: affirmative, imperative, interrogative
#[[Illocutionary act|Illocutionary force]]: affirmative, imperative, interrogative
Polite particles are not used in conjunction with honorific registers or in written language.<ref name= "Khan"/> Two commonly used polite particles<ref name= "Smyth"/> are summarized in the table below.
Polite particles are not used in conjunction with honorific registers or in written language.<ref name= "Khan"/> Commonly used polite particles<ref name= "Smyth"/> are summarized in the table below.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! Thai
! Thai
! Sex
! Gender
! Status of addressee
! Status of addressee
! Social mood
! Social mood
! Illocutionary force
! Illocutionary force
|-
|-
| {{lang|th|ขอรับ}} {{IPA|/kʰɔ̌ː ráp/}}
| ครับ ''khráp''
| male
| male
| equal/superior
| equal/superior
Line 205: Line 214:
| affirmative/imperative/interrogative
| affirmative/imperative/interrogative
|-
|-
| {{lang|th|ครับ}} {{IPA|/kʰráp/}}
| ค่ะ ''khá''
| male
| equal/superior
| common
| affirmative/imperative/interrogative
|-
| {{lang|th|เจ้าขา}} {{IPA|/tɕâːw kʰǎː/}}
| female
| female
| equal/superior
| equal/superior
| formal
| formal
| affirmative/interrogative
| affirmative/imperative/interrogative
|-
| {{lang|th|ค่ะ}} {{IPA|/kʰâʔ/}}
| female
| equal/superior
| common
| affirmative/imperative
|-
| {{lang|th|คะ}} {{IPA|/kʰáʔ/}}
| female
| equal/superior
| common
| interrogative
|}
|}


==<span class="anchor" id="Other"></span>Honorific titles==
==Other==
===<span class="anchor" id="Than Phu Ying"></span><span class="anchor" id="Than phu ying"></span><span class="anchor" id="Thanphuying"></span><span class="anchor" id="Thanpuying"></span><span class="anchor" id="Than Phuying"></span><span class="anchor" id="Than phuying"></span><span class="anchor" id="Khunying"></span><span class="anchor" id="Khun Ying"></span><span class="anchor" id="Khun ying"></span>Thanphuying and khunying===
===Thao===
''Thanphuying'' ({{lang|th|ท่านผู้หญิง}} {{IPA|/tʰâːn pʰûː jǐŋ/}}) and ''khunying'' ({{lang|th|คุณหญิง}} {{IPA|/kʰūn jǐŋ/}}) were originally titles for wives of nobles of ''[[chaophraya (title)|chaophraya]]'' and ''[[phraya]]'' rank, respectively. Today they are used as titles for married female recipients of the [[Order of Chula Chom Klao]]. Those of the rank Dame Grand Commander and above use the title ''thanphuying'', while others use ''khunying''. Unmarried recipients use the title ''khun'', which is the same word as {{section link||Khun (courtesy title)}} below.
'''Thao ({{lang|th|ท้าว}})''' "'''[[Lord]]'''" or "Lady", was formerly used as synonymous with [[Thai royal and noble titles#Phraya|Thai royal and noble title ''phraya'']], as made clear in expressions such as ''thao phraya'' ({{lang|th|ท้าวพระยา}}) and ''pen thao pen phraya'' ({{lang|th|เป็นท้าวเป็นพระยา}}).<ref name="JSS_071_0g"/><ref>RID 1999 select ท and enter ท้าว</ref> For example, [[Chan and Mook|Thao Thepkrasattri]], [[Chan and Mook|Thao Seesunthon]], and [[Thao Suranaree]] are famous [[heroine]]s in Thai history, but theirs is an honorific, not a feudal title. Pronounced with a high tone, it is similar in sound to falling tone ''thao'' ({{lang|th|เฒ่า phonemic Thai /เท่า/}}), "elder".<ref>[http://www.thai-language.com/id/133190 Thai-language.com]</ref> The latter may be used as a pronoun when speaking to or about an elder, but should not be confused with the former.


===Si/Sri===
=== Khun (courtesy title) ===
''Khun'' ({{lang|th|คุณ}} {{IPA|/kʰūn/}}), a [[courtesy title]] pronounced with a mid [[Thai language#Tones|tone]], should not be confused with the noble title of ''[[khun (noble title)|khun]]'' ({{lang|th|ขุน}} {{IPA|/kʰǔn/}}, pronounced in a rising tone). Today, this word is used informally to courteously address nearly anyone.<ref>{{cite web
'''Sri''' ({{lang|th|ศรี}}) is pronounced '''Si''' and usually so transcribed. ''Sri'' and ''Si'' derive from the Sanskrit honorific [[Sri]], but occur in Thai as a part of a personal name, such as [[Worawongsathirat|Bun Si]] ({{lang|th|บุญศรี}}); or as part of a place name such as [[Ayutthaya (city)|Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya]].
|url= http://www.into-asia.com/thai_language/grammar/you.php

|title= Thai words for 'you'
==See also==
|access-date= 22 April 2010
*[[Deixis]]
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160417194617/http://www.into-asia.com/thai_language/grammar/you.php
*[[Family honor]]
|archive-date= 17 April 2016
*[[Honorifics (linguistics)]]
|url-status= dead
*[[Honorific speech in Japanese]]
}}</ref>
*[[Indian honorifics]]
*[[Korean honorifics]]
*[[Nahuatl honorifics]]
*[[Sri]] transcribed {{lang-th|ศิริ}} {{lang|th-Latn|''Siri''}}; and {{lang|th|ศรี}} {{lang|th-Latn|''Sri''}} or {{lang|th-Latn|''Si''}}.
*[[Thai royal and noble titles]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*http://www.namespedia.com/index.php/Category:Thai


{{Honorifics}}
{{Honorifics}}
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[[Category:Honorifics by country]]
[[Category:Honorifics by country]]
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[[Category:Culture of Thailand]]

Latest revision as of 15:12, 24 October 2024

Honorifics are a class of words or grammatical morphemes that encode a wide variety of social relationships between interlocutors or between interlocutors and referents.[1] Honorific phenomena in Thai include honorific registers, honorific pronominals, and honorific particles.

Historical development

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Thai honorifics date back to the Sukhothai Kingdom, a period which lasted from 1238 to 1420 CE[2] During the Sukhothai period, honorifics appeared in the form of kinship terms.[3] The Sukhothai period also saw the introduction of many Khmer and Pali loanwords to Thai. Later, in the Ayutthaya Kingdom (1351 to 1767 CE), a new form of honorific speech evolved. While kinship terms continued to be used, a royal vocabulary known as "raja-sap" (Thai: ราชาศัพท์; RTGS: Rachasap) emerged.[4] The Raja-sap, an honorific register, was created as a way for commoners and aristocrats alike to talk to and about the king of Thailand. Soon after its creation, the use of royal vocabulary was extended to address all members of the royal family as well as aristocrats. At the same time, a clerical vocabulary used to talk to or about monks arose, very similar to the raja-sap. With the development of royal and clerical vocabularies, means for honorific speech increased significantly. The Bangkok period, from 1782 to the present, saw even greater expansion of the raja-sap as it became the formal, or polite, way to address all peoples or topics. Specifically, lexical items from honorific registers replaced native Thai pronouns, resulting in an entirely new set of pronominal forms. Kinship terms continued to be used as honorifics, and a new type of honorific emerged as well, polite particles.

Honorific registers

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The roots of Thai honorific registers lie in Khmer and Khmero-Indic (Pali or Sanskrit words borrowed first into Khmer, then from Khmer into Thai) loanwords.[2] Khmer and Khmero-Indic words were originally borrowed into Thai by an educated, Thai upper class, specifically kings and monks, in order to discuss Buddhism. When the need for honorific registers arose, the Thai people turned again to Khmer. Borrowing heavily from Khmer, the Thai constructed a royal vocabulary, a large lexicon of Khmer and Khmero-Indic words, appropriate for addressing the monarchy. At the same time, a clerical vocabulary emerged, much smaller but similar in function and origin to the royal vocabulary. The clerical vocabulary, also composed mainly of borrowings from Khmer, enabled the common people to communicate with and about monks. Lexical items from standard Thai, royal vocabulary, and clerical vocabulary are shown side by side in the table below:

English gloss Standard Thai Clerical vocabulary Royal vocabulary
'hand' /mɯ̄ː/ (มือ) /mɯ̄ː/ (มือ) /pʰráʔ hàt/ (พระหัตถ์)
'house' /bâːn/ (บ้าน) /kùʔ.tìʔ/ (กุฎิ) /wāŋ/ (วัง)
'mother' /mɛ̂ː/ (แม่) /jōːm mɛ̂ː/ (โยมแม่) /pʰráʔ tɕʰōn.náʔ.nīː/ (พระชนนี)
'to give' /hâj/ (ให้) /tʰàʔ.wǎːj/ (ถวาย) /tʰàʔ.wǎːj/ (ถวาย)
'to speak' /pʰûːt/ (พูด) /pʰûːt/ (พูด) /tràt/ (ตรัส)
'to sleep' /nɔ̄ːn/ (นอน) /tɕām wát/ (จำวัด) /bān.tʰōm/ (บรรทม)

Honorific pronominals

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Thai exhibits pronoun avoidance, often using kinship or status terms instead, particularly for social equals or superiors.[5]

Personal pronouns

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Personal pronouns are the most numerous and complex of pronominal forms in Thai. Personal pronouns may make the following semantic distinctions:[6]

  1. Number: singular, plural, ambiguous
  2. Person: first person, second person, third person, ambivalent
  3. Gender
    1. Primary distinctions are distinctions of gender that are inherent to pronouns: male, female
    2. Secondary distinctions are distinctions of gender that depend on the presence or absence of other semantic features like status, intimacy, or non-restraint: male orientation, female orientation, neutral orientation
  4. Age: absolute, relative
  5. Speaker-addressee-referent relationship
    1. Primary distinctions
      1. Status-the status of the speaker relative to an addressee or referent. Status may be determined by relative age (elders have higher status), rank (king>royalty>monks>government and military>professionals>white collar>blue collar), or non-intimacy (strangers are treated as at least equals)
      2. Intimacy - the kind and degree of close, day-by-day association
      3. Non-restraint
    2. Secondary distinctions
      1. Deference
      2. Politeness
      3. Assertiveness

Kinship terms

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Kinship terms are used pronominally to elevate or demonstrate solidarity with an addressee.[2] To address a listener as kin is, in effect, to confer the listener with the same status as the aforementioned kin. Generally, kinship terms contain both literal and displaced meanings.[6] Kinship terms are considered literal in cases of blood kin, affinal kin, and teknonymy. They are considered displaced when used with kinlike individuals: intimate friends of kin or kin of intimate friends. When using kinship terms, age is critical.[2] Speakers must estimate the age of an addressee to determine his or her generation and choose an appropriate kinship term. Kinship terms commonly used as honorific pronominals are summarized in the table below.[7]

English gloss Thai
'father' พ่อ /pʰɔ̂ː/
'mother' แม่ /mɛ̂ː/
'older brother/sister' พี่ /pʰîː/
'younger brother/sister' น้อง /nɔ́ːŋ/
'child' ลูก /lûːk/
'grandchild/niece/nephew' หลาน /lǎːn/
'great grandchild' เหลน /lěːn/
'great great grandchild' ลื่อ /lɯ̂ː/
'uncle (mother/father's older brother)' ลุง /lūŋ/
'aunt (mother/father's older sister)' ป้า /pâː/
'aunt/uncle (mother's younger brother/sister/cousin)' น้า /náː/
'aunt/uncle (father's younger brother/sister/cousin)' อา /ʔāː/
'grandfather (father's father)' ปู่ /pùː/
'grandmother (father's mother)' ย่า /jâː/
'grandfather (mother's father)' ตา /tāː/
'grandmother (mother's mother)' ยาย /jāːj/
'great grandparent' ทวด /tʰûat/
'great great grandparent' เทียด /tʰîat/

Speakers may demonstrate additional respect by adding the polite title khun (คุณ) before any kinship term. Kinship terms are commonly followed by personal names or nicknames.

Status terms

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Status terms denote referents in terms of occupation or status.[2] While some status terms are used as first, second, or third person pronouns, others are restricted to second and third person only. Many pronominal status terms are preceded by titles. Status terms may also be used as titles before given names.[3] A few status terms frequently used as pronominals are presented in the table below:[7]

Thai English gloss
อาจารย์ /ʔāː.tɕāːn/ 'teacher/professor'
ครู /kʰrūː/ 'teacher'
หมอ /mɔ̌ː/ 'doctor'
พยาบาล /pʰáʔ.jāː.bāːn/ 'nurse'
กระเป๋า /kràʔ.pǎw/ 'bus fare collector' (pocketbook)
สามล้อ /sǎːm lɔ́ː/ 'pedicab driver' (tricycle)
แท็กซี่ /tʰɛ́k.sîː/ 'taxi driver' (taxicab)
ตุ๊กตุ๊ก /túk.túk/ 'motorized pedicab driver'
ท่านทูต /tʰâːn tʰûːt/ 'Mister/Madame Ambassador'
ท่านอธิบดี /tʰâːn ʔàʔ.tʰíʔ.bɔ̄ː.dīː/ 'Mister/Madame Director General'
ท่านอธิการบดี /tʰâːn ʔàʔ.tʰíʔ.kāːn bɔ̄ː.dīː/ 'Mister/Madame Rector' (of university)
ท่านรัฐมนตรี /tʰâːn rát.tʰàʔ.mōn.trīː/ 'Mister/Madame Minister' (of state)
ท่านนายกรัฐมนตรี /tʰâːn nāː.jók rát.tʰàʔ.mōn.trīː/ 'Mister/Madame Prime Minister'

Names

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In Thai, a person's full name consists of a given name followed by a surname or family name.[6] In addition, most individuals have a nickname. As pronominals, given names are used most frequently in second person form. Given names are often preceded by the courtesy title khun when addressing friends or acquaintances. Given names are sometimes truncated to convey mild informality. Nicknames, like given names, are used most often in second person. They generally do not take titles. Nicknames are a friendly, affectionate way to show intimacy between interlocuters.

Honorific particles

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Honorific particles are added to the end of an utterance or clause to show respect to the addressee.[8] Honorific particles may exhibit the following semantic distinctions:

  1. Gender: male, female, neutral
  2. Status: superior, equal, inferior
  3. Social mood: a continuum ranging from formal at one end to extremely intimate at the other
  4. Illocutionary force: affirmative, imperative, interrogative

Polite particles are not used in conjunction with honorific registers or in written language.[2] Commonly used polite particles[7] are summarized in the table below.

Thai Gender Status of addressee Social mood Illocutionary force
ขอรับ /kʰɔ̌ː ráp/ male equal/superior formal affirmative/imperative/interrogative
ครับ /kʰráp/ male equal/superior common affirmative/imperative/interrogative
เจ้าขา /tɕâːw kʰǎː/ female equal/superior formal affirmative/imperative/interrogative
ค่ะ /kʰâʔ/ female equal/superior common affirmative/imperative
คะ /kʰáʔ/ female equal/superior common interrogative

Honorific titles

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Thanphuying and khunying

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Thanphuying (ท่านผู้หญิง /tʰâːn pʰûː jǐŋ/) and khunying (คุณหญิง /kʰūn jǐŋ/) were originally titles for wives of nobles of chaophraya and phraya rank, respectively. Today they are used as titles for married female recipients of the Order of Chula Chom Klao. Those of the rank Dame Grand Commander and above use the title thanphuying, while others use khunying. Unmarried recipients use the title khun, which is the same word as § Khun (courtesy title) below.

Khun (courtesy title)

[edit]

Khun (คุณ /kʰūn/), a courtesy title pronounced with a mid tone, should not be confused with the noble title of khun (ขุน /kʰǔn/, pronounced in a rising tone). Today, this word is used informally to courteously address nearly anyone.[9]

References

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  1. ^ Foley, William. Anthropological Linguistics: An Introduction. Oxford: Blackwell, 1997.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Khanittanan, Wilaiwan. "An aspect of the origins and development of linguistic politeness in Thai". Broadening the horizon of linguistic politeness. Ed. Robin T. Lakoff and Sachiko Ide. Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing, 2005. 315-335.
  3. ^ a b Terwiel, Barend Jan (1983). "Ahom and the Study of Early Thai Society" (PDF). Journal of the Siam Society. 71.0 (digital). Siamese Heritage Trust: image 4–5. Retrieved March 7, 2013. Table 1 : Terms indicating rank, title or class from early Siamese sources.
  4. ^ "Royal Words". Internet resource for the Thai language. thai-language.com. October 9, 2013. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  5. ^ "WALS Online - Feature 45A: Politeness Distinctions in Pronouns".
  6. ^ a b c Cooke, Joseph R. "Pronominal Reference in Thai, Burmese, and Vietnamese." University of California Publications in Linguistics 52 (1968): 1-68.
  7. ^ a b c Smyth, David. Thai: An Essential Grammar. London: Routledge, 2002.
  8. ^ Kummer, Manfred. "Politeness in Thai". Politeness in Language: Studies in its History, Theory, and Practice. Ed. Richard J. Watts, Sachiko Ide, and Konrad Ehlich. Berlin: Moutun de Gruyter, 1992. 325-336.
  9. ^ "Thai words for 'you'". Archived from the original on 17 April 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2010.
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