การแปรของวรรณยุกต์ภาษาพวน อำเภอบ้านผือ จังหวัดอุดรธานี

Abstract

This paper is the sociolinguistic study of tones in Phuan. The aim of the study is to explore phonetic and phonological variation in tone systems of Phuan. The data were collected from Phuan speakers residing at Ban Phue of Udon Thani province from three age groups: old generation (over 60), middle generation (35-45), and young generation (15-25). The theoretical framework of this study is based on the checklist for determining tones in Tai dialects or Gedney’s (1972) Tone box, the tone A B and C for smooth syllables and tone D for checked syllable. A set of 60 words was used to examine the pattern of tone splits and coalescence and the recorded sounds were acoustically analysed by using Praat speech software program. The result shows that Udon Thani Phuan has six tones; Tone 1 (A1), Tone 2 (A234), Tone 3 (B123), Tone 4 (B2), Tone 5 (C1), and Tone 6 (C234). The pattern of tone merger and split can be described as follows: A1-234, B123-4, C1-234, DL123-4, DS123-4, and A234 = DL4, B123 = DL123, C1 = DS4, C234 = DS123. The tone patterns of female and male speakers are identical in term of tone split and coalescences. However, the significant differences in tone characteristics among the three generations are found. It can be concluded that the tone of Udon Thani Phuan has been phonetically changed due to the influence of Standard Thai.