A discourse analysis of the Tai Dam chronicle

Abstract

This paper is a discourse study of the Tai Dam chronicle Kwam To Muang. It focuses on rhetorical structure and information structure. The former includes rhyming structure, parallel structure, cyclical structure, and listing structure, which function to facilitate memorization and also provide a linkage to the text. The information structure is analyzed in terms of the bipartite discourse structure, i.e. storyline elements and Nonstoryline elements. The storyline material is signalled by the preverbal auxiliary caŋ² ‘consequently, then’ and verb types, namely, event proper, motion, and action verbs. Nonstoryline elements include supportive materials which are off the storyline. They include setting, background, collateral, and cohesion. The setting is characterized by descriptive and stative verbs. Background information is marked by non-punctiliar verbs. Collateral information is expressed by a negation having the negative marker baw³ ‘not’. And cohesion is realized by rhetorical structure and repetitive clauses.