Tonal Variation by Region of Tai Khun in Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this paper is to analyze the regional variations of 15 dialects of Tai Khun in Chiang Mai province. Methods: Data were collected from informants who were speakers of Thai Khun and over 60 years of age. There were altogether 150 informants—10 informants per speaking community. The Praat program was used to test, analyze, and convert the 80 found words to semitones. Results: The study found that the tonal system-based dialect in Chiang Mai could be categorized into 3 groups: the main tonal system of 6 tones (B123-4), the sub-system 1, and 2 of 5 tones (B-merge). The cause of the tonal variation was the tone coalescences of the B and B=DL in the sub-system 1 and the tone coalescences of the C123= DL4 in the main tonal system and the sub-system 2. The tone coalescences of the C123= DL4 is considered distinctive and is found only in the tonal system of Thai Khun in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The main phonetic variations by region of Tai Khun were found only in the 1st (A12), while the variations of the sub-phonetic were found in almost all tones (except for the 2nd tone) which changed from the main phonetic characteristics of the same phonetic tone in each region. Regional variations of the entire tonal system, the main phonetic and sub-phonetic features of the Tai Khun tone of Chiang Mai are parallel in that they were both caused by language contact, which is classified as an external factor. The languages that have more speakers, such as Standard Thai, Chiang Mai dialect, and Tai Yai of Kung Tung tend to influence the Tai Khun language which has fewer speakers within the same area. The phonetic variation direction of all tones in Tai Khun supports the predicted mechanism of “ Directionality of Tone Change”: the “ peak sliding” mechanism, the “ perceptual maximization” mechanism, and the “contour reduction” mechanism. Application of this study: The knowledge of tonal regional variations in Tai Khun can be used as a guide for studying tonal regional variations in the Tai languages. Research findings can be used for teaching and learning about Tai dialectology. It can also be used as information for language policy planning of agencies involved in language planning and ethnic language preservation, both at the local and national levels.