The Use of Homophones from English Loan Words in Thai Language

Abstract

Thai homophones, when originated from English loan words, can be divided into two categories: adaptive homophones and non-adaptive homophones. A phonetically identical to a loan word is a result of the alteration of the original English words by which some parts have been eliminated, generating the same pronunciation according to the Thai system. A non-phonetically identical to a loan word (resulting from sound modification), on the other hand, results from a direct use of the English words, but they are pronounced according to the Thai system. Homophonic use in Thai of the English loan words comes from the fact that the alphabetical pronunciation system of the Thai language is unable to provide the same sound as originally produced by the language of origin. Thus, some of the English loan words are used as homophones in Thai to facilitate their use according to the Thai system.