Center of Excellence in Southeast Asian Linguistics
M. R. Kalaya Tingsabadh

Selected Publications

GIS Technique as an indispensable tool in the real time study of dialect change: a case of the northeastern region of Thailand

For linguists, mapping a clear visual display of spatial change of dialects has been a challenging
task. This article aims to present an alternative solution by which GIS and linguistics are incorporated to
help improve quality of spatial analysis and map display in the study of dialect geography. Applied
methodological flow with the exemplified application to the northeastern region of Thailand is
illustrated. GIS’s spatial analysis functions are demonstrated to create and compare the dialect maps of
1979 and 2002. Result of the study exhibits as change-quantification maps showing the real time spatial
change patterns of Thai dialects. The benefit of GIS is obvious as an indispensable tool for assisting
linguists to better interpret and understand the spatial pattern of change with more confidence.