Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This article reevaluates the subgrouping of Southwestern Tai languages using early phonological innovations reflected in Old Thai and Old Lao inscriptions. By analyzing four shared consonantal changes, simplification of *kʰr-, coalescence of *ɓl-, aspiration of *ʰr- and occlusivization of *x-, the research results propose a “Peninsular Southwestern Tai” subgroup encompassing Thai, Lao, Southern Thai, and most of the so-called “PH” varieties. This proposal offers a more empirical analysis of the genealogical relationships among these languages and suggests a southward spread of Peninsular Southwestern Tai from northern Laos to southern Thailand.
Source: Journal of the Siam Society
Author: Pittayawat Pittayaporn
Institution: Chulalongkorn University
Language: English
Subfield: Language and Linguistics
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4410070455