CONVEYING THE STATE OF SOCIETY IN KARB PHRACHAISURIYA

Abstract

The objectives of this research on Karb Phrachaisuriya are to analyze the Karb according to the Model of Communication by David K. Berlo, and to examine the social context as appeared in the work.  The following are the corresponding components between Karb Phrachaisuriya’s comments on the state of society and David   K. Berlo’s Model of Communication.  

Sender: The author, Sunthornphu who was well-versed in many writing styles, composed Karb Phrachaisuriya to exemplify his ability in writing a karb which was to be used as the textbook for learning Thai spelling, and to comment on the state of society during the reign of King Phranangklao.  This poetry was related with receivers in various period.  Message: The message comprised 3 elements, namely the content as a narrative of Phrachaisuriya, the code in the form of the state of society during the reign of King Phranangklao as appeared in Karb Phrachaisuriya, and the structure consisting of an invocation, the author’s humble note, and the narrative arranged according to spelling.  Channel: Karb Phrachaisuriya was sent via human interactions, as well as printed and electronic media. Receiver: The receivers ranged from the royal family members, especially the young ones,  to noblemen, to commoners living in the same era with  the author, all the way to teachers and professors, to Thai language and literature scholars, and to foreigners in succeeding times.  

Through the theory of communication, this research finds that Sunthornphu successfully sent his message according to its purpose even though it has been almost 200 years.