The features of language of the words refer to Isan people that appear in Thai country songs

Abstract

This academic article aimed to analyze the features of language of the words  refer to Isan people that appear in Thai country songs in terms of word structure and semantic relationships. This will help reflect the worldview that can see Isan people through music. The data used for the analysis were collect from the words used to refer to Isan people that appeared in 40 songs of Thai country songs. Data were selected by a specific selection method. Total of 80 words. The study found that in terms of word structure which is determined by the components of the word and word collation pattern. The results revealed that the structure of a term has two important components, including 1) the “main part” which manifests the core meaning of the term, and 2) “modifiers part” that adds specific attributes to the core meaning of the term. There are 2 types of structures: a “single word” and a “compound word”. In terms of the meanings, what constitutes a term can be classified into 10 groups, including 1) the term expression of ethnic groups 2) gender status 3) kinship terms 4) home land 5)ethnic group 6) the river names 7) local identity 8) living condition 9) province symbol and 10) boundary or the administrative unit. As for the analysis of social and cultural reflections that have been conveyed through the meaning of Isan people. In Thai country songs appear in 8 groups, including 1) Isan people have a love for their partisan 2) love and pride in the local or the hometown where they live 3) way of life 4) local arts and culture 5) beliefs and respect for sacred things 6) way of life bound to water 7) the social condition of the Isan region has many ethnic groups and 8) attitudes that Isan people have towards other.