Strategies for Naming and Translating Chinese Shrine Names into Thai: A Case Study of Chinese Shrines in Thai Society

Abstract

This study investigated the strategies employed in naming and translating Chinese shrine names into Thai. The research analyzes 1,000 shrine name signs, including 218 in Bangkok and 782 in other provinces, selected from historically significant shrines representing respective regions. The analysis integrated linguistic approaches—such as transcription and semantic translation—with cultural perspectives to explain the contextual factors influencing naming practices. The analysis combined a linguistic approach, focusing on transliteration and semantic translation, with a cultural and sociological approach, emphasizing contextual and cultural factors that influenced the transmission of Chinese shrine names into Thai. The findings indicated that six principal strategies were employed: (1) naming based on royal or ecclesiastical titles, (2) literal translation preserving the original name, (3) naming or translation guided by devotees’ comprehension, (4) translation according to the names of Chinese deities, (5) naming based on the shrine’s geographical context, and (6) elaborative translation for enhanced clarity. The study contributed to a better understanding of Chinese–Thai transliteration and translation practices, offered insights into linguistic and domestic studies, and provided practical implications for the standardization of shrine name signs.