An Etymological Study of Vietnamese Words for Weaving and Woven Objects

This etymological study surveys the origins of 160 monosyllabic Vietnamese words for weaving and related materials, implements, and products. It incorporates data from textual, ethnohistorical, and archaeological research to increase the certainty of claims and present an ethnolinguistic and chronological context for etymological research in this semantic domain. While the impact in this domain due to language contact with Chinese in multiple periods has led to additions and restructuring of original semantic subsystems, core native elements (Austroasiatic, Vietic, and Viet-Muong) are evident. Moreover, Vietnamese appears to have generated numerous lexical innovations related to weaving materials and woven products in the 2nd millennium.