Thailand has long developed its food culture in association with India, China, and other Southeast nations. Language reflects culture. This study collected analyzed Thai words relating to food.
Thirty Thai verbs relating to cutting were collected, and their difference was analyzed using factors such as food cutting appliances, targets of cutting, the direction of appliances being used, whether to cut completely, and number of cutting. Twenty six verbs relating to cooking were collected, and their difference was analyzed using factors such as whether to use water, steam, oil, and vessel for cooking, as well as cooking temperatures, time and targets of cooking. These verbs were classified according to cooking means.
Sixty two words relating to Thai food were collected and analyzed. They were found to be combinations of antecedents such as /ahan/, /kheong/, /kreuang/, and /kkap/, and subsequent endings which signify food material, state, taste and smell. Side dishes, eaten together with boiled rice and soup, had antecedents such as /kkaeng/ or /ttom/, and subsequent endings that signify food material, recipe or taste.
One hundred and twelve words relating to Thai food were collected and classified according to food materials; foods made of rice represented the largest number, followed by fish dishes, pork dishes, and flour dishes. Lastly, words relating to food, used in idioms, were found in proverbs using food material, verbs relating to cooking, spices, and taste.
This study needs to be furthered by collecting a greater number of Thai words relating to Thai food and a comparative analysis of other Southeast Asian nations would be meaningful.