A Study of Verbs Describing Animal Actions in the Isan Folktale 'Phadeang Nang Ai

This study examines the types and meanings of verbs that describe animal actions in the Isan folktale Phadaeng Nang Ai, a well-known tragic love story in the Isan oral tradition.The data for this study were drawn from Kap Phadaeng Nang Ai, a folktale adaptation written by the researcher, which follows traditional Isan poetic forms.The primary objectives of this study are to identify and classify verbs that describe animal actions and to analyze their meanings and functions within the context of the folktale.A linguistic approach was employed, using syntactic and semantic analysis to categorize verbs based on their structures and meanings.The findings reveal that the verbs used to describe animal actions can be categorized into six main types: (1) general action verbs, (2) verbs expressing graceful movements, (3) verbs conveying bravery and boldness, (4) verbs indicating fear or panic, (5) verbs showing cautious or anxious movement, and ( 6) verbs attributing human-like actions to animals.These verbs appear as either single verbs or serial verbs, depending on the complexity of the action described.The results demonstrate how verb selection contributes to the vivid portrayal of animal behavior, enhancing the narrative's imagery, movement dynamics, and emotional depth.This study provides insights into verb classification in narrative discourse and contributes to linguistic studies on folktales.The findings may be useful for researchers in linguistics, literature, and folklore, particularly in examining the role of language in traditional storytelling.