THE METAPHOR ANALYSIS OF THE THAI VALUES EMBEDDED IN THE POEMS OF SOONTORNPU’S LITERATURES SELECTED BY THE ROYAL INSTITUTE

Abstract

Based on Lakoff and Johnson’s metaphor analysis (1980), this study aims at investigating the Thai values embedded in metaphorical expressions in Soontornpu’s poems selected by the Royal Thai Institute (2011). Thirteen literatures consisting of 252 work pieces were qualified for analysis.

Two research questions are (1) What are the characteristics of the metaphors in the poems of Soontornpu’s literatures selected by the Royal Institute? (2) What are the Thai values reflected by the conceptual meanings of the metaphors in the poems of Soontornpu’s literatures selected by the Royal Institute?

Findings reveal that the metaphorical expressions were categorized into 18 groups and Thai values embedded in the metaphorical expressions were found and classified into five groups: (1) values on religions and nature, (2) values on authoritarianism, (3) values on consumerism, (4) values on enjoyment , and (5) values on human relations.