Abstract:
The objectives of the present study are to analyze grammatical functions of the word /sɨŋ/ in Thai and to study the development of the functions from Sukhothai Period up to present. This study also aims to analyze syntactic and semantic properties of /sɨŋ/ in each function. It is hypothesized that /sɨŋ/ in each function can be differentiated in terms of two syntactic properties; namely, noun modifying clause formation and Noun Phrase Accessibility Hierarchy, It is also hypothesized that /sɨŋ/ in each function can be differentiated in terms of two semantic properties of head noun phrases, that is, animacy and definiteness. The data used in this study was randomly taken from samples of prose writings in five periods; namely Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, King Rama I-IV, King Rama V-VIII, and King Rama IX periods. It is found that /sɨŋ/ has three levels of functions: syntactic, pragmatic, and discourse functions. Syntactically, /sɨŋ/ functions as a relativizer and a complementizer. Pragmatically, it functions as a topic marker and an end-focus marker. The only discourse function found is a discourse marker. Historically, it is found that the functions as a relativizer, a topic marker, and an end-focus marker are the oldest functions of /sɨŋ/ found in Sukhothai period. /sɨŋ/ as a complementizer first occurred in Ayutthaya period. The discourse marker was first found in King Rama V-VII period. All functions, except the complementizer, are continuously used until the present time. The absence of /sɨŋ/ as a complementizer in present day Thai may be due to the fact that the /thiîi/ complementizer has replaced /sɨŋ/ in this function. When comparing the frequency distribution of /sɨŋ/ in each function, it is found that /sɨŋ/ as a relativizer and /sɨŋ/ as a discourse marker increased over time through the periods under study. On the other hand, the frequencies of /sɨŋ/ as a topic marker and /sɨŋ/ as an end-focus marker continuously decreased. Concerning /sɨŋ/ as a complementizer, it is found that its frequency is very low in all periods of its occurrence. Regarding the development of the grammatical function of /sɨŋ/, it is found that /sɨŋ/ as a discourse marker is the development of a topic marker. Regarding the syntactic analysis, it is found that /sɨŋ/ is a preposition, an obligatory head of a prepositional phrase. Typologically, the head noun phrase of a relative clause marked by /sɨŋ/ appears outside the clause and precedes the clause. Moreover, a relative clause marked by /sɨŋ/ can be formed by gap strategy or personal pronoun strategy. Focusing on co-referents, it is revealed that a relative clause marked by /sɨŋ/ may contain a co-referent with one of these syntactic-semantic roles; subject, direct object, indirect object, oblique, and possessive. The frequency distribution reveals that a co-referent with subject role is preferred in the relative clause marked by /sɨŋ/. Semantically, the frequency shows that the head noun phrases of relative clauses marked by /sɨŋ/ are inanimate and definite.