Classifiers in Lao language

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the semantic components of the classifiers in Lao in order to classify the nouns existing in those classifiers by interviewing three Vientiane Laotian informants living in Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic.

The results shows that there are eighty-two classifiers coexisting with three hundred and forty-four nouns compiled by the author. From the analysis, the nouns coexisting with the classifiers  are classified into eight groups which are plants, nature, animals, habitats and places, wares, attires and accessories, human, and non-human. As a result of this, these classifiers can indicate the three aspects affecting Laotians to use classifiers which are 1) Some classifiers in Vientiane Lao exist with many kinds of noun. 2) Some classifiers can be the same with nouns existing with them.  3) The classifiers  in Lao are different from classifiers  in Thai.