Have you come across certain words in a particular language that make you do a double take because you have heard them in a totally different language? Ever wondered how languages evolve and incorporate words from other cultures? In our fascinating article – Loan Words in Lao – we’ll take you on a delightful journey through the intriguing world of language borrowing.
The Lao language, spoken by millions in Laos and surrounding regions, has a rich history of interaction with neighboring cultures and international influences. We’ll explore how loan words from languages like Thai, Sanskrit, Pali, and French have seamlessly integrated into Lao over time, adding unique flavors and expressions to the already vibrant linguistic tapestry. So, whether you’re a language enthusiast, a traveler, or simply curious about the diverse nature of languages, this article is sure to pique your interest and leave you with a deeper appreciation for the beauty of linguistic diversity. Let’s dive in!
What Are Loan Words?
Loan words, also known as borrowed words, are terms adopted from one language into another, enriching the receiving language’s vocabulary with foreign influences. When cultures interact through trade, colonization, or other means, words from one language often find their way into another. But before we talk about that, let’s get acquainted with the Lao language.
The Lao Language
Lao, predominantly spoken in Laos and parts of neighboring countries, is a member of the Tai-Kadai language family. Thai, Shan, and Zuang are some other examples of the Tai-Kadai languages. It is a tonal language with six tones and shares a lot of similarities with Thai, especially with Lao consonants and vowels.
Laotians speak a number of Lao dialects. However, the standard Lao, or Vientiane Lao, is considered the official language of Laos. Lao Kao is another name for this language. Further, the Lao script, derived from ancient Khmer, is written from left to right and displays a beautiful calligraphic style.
The History Of Foreign Influences: Loan Words In Lao
The history of the Lao language is a fascinating tale of cultural exchange and foreign influences that have shaped its evolution over the centuries. Situated in Southeast Asia, Laos has been at the crossroads of various civilizations and trade routes, leading to a rich blend of linguistic interactions.
Loan Words From Pali & Sanskrit
One of the earliest influences on the Lao language came from the ancient Indian civilization, particularly through the spread of Buddhism. Sanskrit introduced a plethora of religious and philosophical terms to the Lao lexicon. Many Sanskrit loanwords are still used in Lao today, especially in religious contexts.
In the 14th century, the Lao kingdom of Lan Xang (the Land of a Million Elephants) emerged, which further facilitated interactions with neighboring cultures. The Lao royalty and elite adopted Pali, another Indian language used for Buddhist scriptures, and this influence further enriched the Lao vocabulary.
| English | Lao | Roman Transcription | Borrowed From | Roman Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agreement/ Pact | ກະຕິກາ | Ka ti kā | Pali | Katikā |
| Story | ກະຖາ | Ka thā | Pali | Kathā |
| Agriculture | ກະສິກຳ | Ka si kam | Pali/ Sanskrit | Kasikamma/ Kṛṣikarman |
| Sports/ Play | ກິລາ | Ki lā | Pali | Kīḷā |
| Moment | ຂະນະ | Kha na | Pali/ Sanskrit | Khaṇa/ Kṣaṇa |
| Group of people | ຄະນະ | Ga na | Pali/ Sanskrit | Gaṇa |
| Teacher | ຄູ | Khū | Pali/ Sanskrit | Guru |
| Sandalwood | ຈັນ | Chan | Sanskrit | Candana |
| Frangipani flower | ຈຳປາ | Cham pā | Pali/ Sanskrit | Campaka |
| Tongue | ຊິວຫາ | Siu hā | Pali | Jivhā |
French Loan Words In Lao
During the 19th and 20th centuries, Laos became a French protectorate, bringing about a significant French influence. French introduced a new wave of loanwords, particularly in administrative, educational, and culinary domains.
| English | Lao | Roman Transcription | French |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee | ກາເຟ | Ka fe | Café |
| Chocolate | ໂຊໂກລາ | Sō kō lā | Chocolat |
| Ice Cream | ກະແລັມ | Ka læm | Crème |
| Cassette | ກາແຊັດ | Ka saed | Cassette |
| Cement | ຊີມັງ | Sī mang | Ciment |
| Petanque (lawn bowling) | ເປຕອງ | Pē tǭng | Pétanque |
| Gram | ກຣາມ | Kram | Gramme |
| Necktie | ກາລະວັດ | Kā la wat | Cravate |
| Kilometers | ກິໂລແມັດ | Ki lō mæt | Kilomètres |
| Consul | ກົງສຸນ | Kong sun | Consul |
| Box/ Chest | ແກັດ | Kæt | Caisse |
| Croissant | ຄົວຊ່ອງ | Khūa sǭng | Croissant |
| Mouse (computer) | ຊູລີ | Sū lī | Souris |
| Ball | ບານ | Bān | Balle |
| Whale | ບາແລນ | Bā lǣn | Baleine |
| Billiards | ບີຢາ | Bī yā | Billard |
| Buffet | ບຸບເຟ່ | Bup fē | Buffet |
| Beer | ເບັຽ | Bīa | Bière |
| Butter | ເບີ | Bœ̄ | Beurre |
| Belgium | ແບນຊິກ | Bǣn sik | Belgique |
| Program | ໂປຣກຣາມ | Pō kām | Programme |
| Postman | ຟັກເຕີ | Fak tœ̄ | Facteur |
| Money order | ມັງດາ | Mang dā | Mandat |
| Radar | ລາດາ | Lā dā | Radar |
| Litre | ລິດ | Lit | Litre |
| Lithuania | ລີຕົວນີ | Lī tūa nī | Lituanie |
| Luxembourg | ລຸກຊຳບົວ | Luk sam būa | Luxembourg |
| Software | ໂລຊີຊີແອນ | Lō sī sī ʼǣn | Logiciel |
| Carriage | ວາກົງ | Wā kong | Wagon |
| Wine | ແວງ | Wǣng | Vin |
Loan Words From Thai
Due to geographical proximity and cultural ties, Thai has heavily influenced the Lao language. Many Lao words related to food, clothing, and everyday life have been borrowed from Thai.
| English | Lao | Roman Transcription | Thai | Roman Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language | ພາສາ | Phāsā | ภาษา | Phāsā |
| Day | ວັນ | Wan | วัน | Wan |
| Happy | ຍິນດີ | Nyindī | ยินดี | Yindī |
| Vegetable | ຜັກ | Phak | ผัก | Phak |
| Room | ຫ້ອງ | Hong | ห้อง | Hɔ̂ng |
| Breakfast | ເຂົ້າເຊົ້າ | Khao sao | ข้าวเช้า | Kâao-cháao |
| Bed | ຕຽງ | Tīang | เตียง | Teīyng |
| Song | ເພງ | Phēng | เพลง | Pleeng |
| Tree | ຕົ້ນໄມ້ | Tonmai | ต้นไม้ | Dtôn-máai |
| Father | ພໍ່ | Phǭ | พ่อ | Pɔ̂ɔ |
Wrap Up
In recent times, the global dominance of English has also left its mark on Lao. English loanwords have entered the language in fields like business, technology, and entertainment.
The history of foreign influences on the Lao language stands as a testament to the nation’s cultural openness and adaptability, reflecting the rich tapestry of Laos’ linguistic heritage. However, despite these foreign influences, the Lao language has retained its unique identity.
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