English To Thai Loan Translation : Types, Linguistic and Sociolinguistic Factors

Abstract

This research studies the English to Thai loan word translation linguistic formats and the sociolinguistic explanations behind the usage of loan translation techniques. The data are from 30 English-Thai translation texts and the interview with translators. The results are the nine patterns of the loan translation: proper names, loan words without modification, loan words with classifiers, loan words along with generic terms modified as to form, loan words along with generic terms modified as to function, loan words along with their translation, loan words along with footnotes, loan words as taken words, and loan expressions. The sociolinguistic factors behind the usage of loan translation are the technicality of the terms, the identification of the profession groups, the exclusion of the non-group members, the popularity of English in Thai language, and the globalization trends in some particular businesses. Recommendations for the language planner and translators are provided.