A Study of Thai - Chinese Transliteration for Archaeological Sites’ Names in Mueang District, Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

This article aims to 1. study and analyze the transliteration method, and 2. provide the transliteration guidelines for the names of archaeological sites in Mueang District, Chiang Mai Province. The study was analyzed from the samples appearing on the Chinese tourist map of Chiang Mai under the transliteration criteria of Pei Xiaorui. It was found that 40 out of 78 archaeological sites (51.28%) was named according to the transliteration method. Afterwards, the list of only those names obtained from transliteration was analyzed. The result showed that the most common problem was choosing Chinese syllables in order to match Thai syllables (40%). It was also suggested to be the first aspect of consideration, followed by considering the meaning of the accompanying words whether they conveyed good meaning or represented the characteristics of the place, while avoiding polyphonic in Chinese characters as well as those characters representing verbs and pronouns. Additionally, the name containing the same number of Thai syllables as those in Chinese should be selected. If the translated word already became the part of a specific name, transliteration was required. Prior translation, the translator should study the information about history, characteristics, and hidden culture of the place. After the translation was completed, it should undergo a review by both Thai and Chinese language experts.