A Historical Study of the Word /rian/

Abstract

This study aims to analyze functions, meanings and evolution of the word /rian/ in writings from the Sukhothai period to the present (BE 2562). It is found that the word /rian/ has 6 functions: 1. transitive verb used since the Sukhothai period, 2. intransitive verb used since the Ayutthaya-Thonburi period, 3. part of compound noun, and 4. base of abstract noun used since the reigns of King Rama I to King Rama III, 5. part of compound adjective used since the reigns of King Rama IV to VI, 6. politeness marker used since the reigns of King Rama VII to the present (BE 2562). Semantically, the word /rian/ has 2 meanings: 1. “to study” and 2. “to tell.” This evolution of the word /rian/ clearly started in the reigns of King Rama IV to King Rama VI, and it was influenced by the prototype meaning of the word /rian/, Thai ancestors’ lifestyle and culture.