ภูมินามของหมู่บ้านในจังหวัดลำปาง

Abstract

This research aims to study toponyms in Lampang province : village names with emphasis on historical background, linguistic features and values of those toponyms. Names of 985 villages have been reviewed, and it is found that they are constructed using 1-7 basic word forms. The most frequently-used structure is a two-word combination, consisting of 581 names or 58.99% of the total. The structure of the village name consists of a head noun and a modifier. The word order is divided into 4 patterns : “head noun”, “head noun + modifier”, “head noun + head noun”, and “modifier + head noun”. The most frequently-used pattern is “head noun + modifier,” consisting of 801 names or 81.32%. In terms of semantic feature, following the pattern “head noun + modifier”, it is found that the most frequently used head now is related to local geographic names, and the most frequently-used modifier is a plant. When counting the frequency of head noun and modifier, the results show that water resources and plants are the most frequently used. The five most popular words of both heads and modifiers are “mææ" (river), “thung” (field), “naa” (paddy field) “thaa” (peir) and “phat tha naa” (to develop). The toponyms reflect the holistic feature of Lampang province, including geography, society and cultural aspects. Seven aspects reflected in the village names include : 1) varieties of geography and climates, 2) an abundance of flora and fauna, 3) local history, 4) local legends and folktales, 5) folklife, 6) folk beliefs and values, and 7) local governance.