An Analytical Study of Burmese Loanwords in Shan Language

Abstract

              The objectives of this research were 1) to study history of the Shan and its loanwords, 2) to study the factors of borrowing loanwords from the Burmese language and 3) to analyze Burmese loanwords found in Shan language.

             Collecting data of the research study consisted of two methods; namely, primary data and secondary data. Primary data was directly collected information from A Shan – English Dictionary and Shan – Myanmar Dictionary. Secondary data was collected information from documentary survey like thesis, academic books, academic articles and journals.

              The analysis was divided into two parts: types of loanwords and semantic changes. There were four main types of loanwords: transliteration, loan translation, loan blend, and loan shift; and the second part is related to four main kinds of loanwords according to semantic changes. The data were analyzed according to the method of assimilation into Burmese and Shan context.

            The units for this study were found 309 Burmese loanwords in Shan had found from the data collections, divided into four types: (1) 127 words of transliteration (41.10%), (2) 120 words of Loan blended (38.83%), (3) 20 words of Loan shift (9.52%), and (4) 13 words of Loan translation (6.19%). Data analysis of the research study was shown and discussed with illustrations.

            Based on the findings, according to Shan history, from the time that Shan was the colony of British since 1893-1945. British administrators made the Burmese language a second language in Burma Proper which killed the Mon and Shan language.

            It was found that transliteration was used most. Besides, original meaning was used most in the contexts according to semantic changes. To conclude, this study offers insight into Burmese loanwords in the Shan language.