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Article published In:
Linguistics of the Tibeto-Burman Area
Vol. 47:1 (2024) ► pp.90–117

Revisiting “aberrant” features in Saek

Contact-induced changes and its position within Tai

| Chulalongkorn University

This study challenges the notion of Saek as an aberrant member of Tai by proposing that certain features previously considered archaic are, in fact, contact-induced innovations. Specifically, it argues that multiple correspondences involving /j-/ and the alleged split of the Proto-Tai *A1 tone can be traced back to Vietnamese and Lao or Thai influence. Additionally, this paper asserts that Saek is closely related to Fusui, a Northern Tai dialect spoken in southwestern Guangxi. This paper concludes that Saek is a Tai language with some unique retentions and traces of contact with neighboring languages.

Keywords: Saek, Tai, Kra-Dai, sound change, contact-induced change
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Literature review
  • 3.Multiple correspondences of Saek palatal glide
  • 4.Alleged split of *A1
  • 5.Position of Saek
  • 6.Discussion
  • 7.Conclusion
  • Acknowledments
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 17 May 2024
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/ltba.00018.pit
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