Forms of Khmer Loanwords in Samudraghogmchn(d)

Abstract

This article aims to study forms of Khmer loanwords in the Samudraghogmchn(d), which was composed during the Ayutthaya and Rattanakosin periods. This literary work uses many words borrowed from Khmer. Having considered the forms of words, I find that these loan words may have the same forms as the original Old Khmer or Middle Khmer words, or the forms related to Modern Khmer. In addition, it is found that certain words have various forms. Some forms may be similar to those of the original words while others may differ from them. Some words have been modified to Thai orthography. Some words were intentionally modified to be different from the original words. Some words were hypercorrectly modified. Some words may have only a single change or may have multiple changes. Some words have changed so much that the original form is not apparent. Complication in the forms of words may cause problems to the interpretation of the Thai classical literature. This study is therefore trying to explore the changes of forms of Khmer loanwords and their original forms in Khmer to show the way the words have changed, as well as to be able to better understand the Samudraghogmchn(d).
Key words: Khmer Loanwords, Samudraghogmchn(d)