Types of Lanna Language Dictionaries

Abstract

This article is purposely conducted to analyze types of Lanna language dictionaries. The data was collected from 13 Lanna language dictionaries by using the content analysis method and the lexicography method. The result shows 2 types of Lanna language dictionaries, namely Thai-Lanna dictionaries and Lanna-Thai dictionaries. There are 2 Thai-Lanna dictionaries among all dictionaries approximately 13.33%. These dictionaries show Thai words as the main entry and describe the words in Lanna language. Central Thai script is used to record the pronunciations. It also appears that some parts of the contents within the Thai-Lanna type are written in the Lanna-Thai dictionaries as well. On the other hand, the 13 Lanna-Thai dictionaries use Lanna words as the main entry approximately 86.67%, and explain those words in Thai language. These dictionaries also can be divided into 2 types by the pronunciation records, namely the pronunciations recorded in Central Thai script approximately 38.46% and the pronunciations recorded in Tai Tham (Lanna) script approximately 61.54%. These 2 sub-types have similar fundamental elements, including main entry and definitions, while the other elements are not mandatory to mention. At the beginning, Lanna-Thai dictionaries are invented by non-native-Lanna individuals or organizations on the purposes of communication, Lanna-learning, and Lanna language conservation.