Prince Wongsathiratsanit : the Scholar Who Solved the Problem of the Confusing Used of Marks < ๗ > and < ๘ > in the Thai Writing System

Abstract

At the beginning of the Rattanakosin period, the marks <๗> and <๘> were used to shorten long syllables. This caused variation in spelling, such as <เข๊น - เข็น, เด๊ก - เด็ก, เล๊ก - เล็ก>. Later on the confusion of writing those words was terminated by Prince Wongsathiratsanit, who laid the rules of using <๗> and <๘> in the Thai grammar book entitled “Chindamani” in 1849. Moreover, he also laid the rules of using the high and rising tone marks in that they must be used with middle consonants only. Since high and low consonants can be pronounced with five tones, the high and the rising tone marks are not necessary.