The Mystery of Thai Vowels: ไ- vs. ใ-

Introduction

The Thai language has an intriguing history that dates back to the Sukhothai period. Among its many quirks, the usage of the vowels ไ- (mái malai, ไม้มลาย) and ใ- (mái múan, ไม้ม้วน) stands out as a source of confusion, even for native speakers. Today, we’ll delve into the history and usage of these two vowels to uncover why they exist and how they differ.

Historical Background

The vowels ไ- and ใ- have been a part of the Thai script since its creation in the Sukhothai era. Presently, they are known as “สระไอ ไม้มลาย (sàrà ai mái malai)” and “สระใอ ไม้ม้วน (sàrà ai mái múan)”, respectively. While they are pronounced the same way, the distinction in their usage can perplex learners and native speakers alike.

Pronunciation and Usage

Although both vowels produce the same sound, certain words in Thai use ใ- (mái múan, ไม้ม้วน), while others use ไ- (mái malai, ไม้มลาย). This inconsistency means that even native Thai speakers need to memorize which vowel to use for specific words. It is quite curious that Thai has developed this way, creating a unique challenge for its speakers.

Linguistic Insights

Linguistic studies have shown that these two vowels originally had distinct pronunciations. The vowel ไ- (mái malaay, ไม้มลาย) has always been pronounced as it is today. However, the vowel ใ- (mái múan, ไม้ม้วน) was historically pronounced as a combination of the sounds “a” (as in ‘father’) and “ʉ” (a sound somewhat like the German ü).

Regional Variations

Traces of the original pronunciation of ใ- (mái múan, ไม้ม้วน) can still be found in some regional dialects within Thailand. In these dialects, the vowel retains its historical “aʉ” sound, offering a glimpse into the language’s past. For example, the word “ให้” that means “to give” nowadays is pronounced as “hâi,” while in some dialects, people pronounce this word for “to give” as “hâʉ.”

Modern Pronunciation and Learning Challenges

In contemporary Thai, both vowels are pronounced identically as “ai”. This leads to the necessity for Thai children to memorize which words use ใ- (mái múan, ไม้ม้วน) through recitation. Whereas words that are not part of the recitation use the vowel ไ- (mái malai, ไม้มลาย). But that may be too complex for a new language learner, however, we may include it in another article in the future.

Conclusion

The existence of the vowels ไ- (mái malai, ไม้มลาย) and ใ- (mái múan, ไม้ม้วน) in Thai is a fascinating aspect of the language’s history and evolution. Understanding their origins and differences can provide deeper insights into the Thai language, making it easier to navigate its complexities. So, next time you come across these vowels, remember their unique history and the role they play in the beautiful tapestry of Thai.

source: https://www.silpa-mag.com/culture/article_88963