Languages of Thailand
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Ethnologue report for Thailand Page 1 of 14 Languages of Thailand See language map. [See also SIL publications on the languages of Thailand.] Kingdom of Thailand, Muang Thai or Prathet Thai. 64,865,523. Population includes 45,815,000 or 93.5% Daic languages, 1,037,650 or 2% Austro-Asiatic languages, 1,009,500 or 2% Austronesian languages, 533,500 or 1% Tibeto-Burman languages, 100,000 or 0.2% Hmong-Mien languages (1991 J. Matisoff). National or official language: Thai. Literacy rate: 89%. Also includes Burmese, Japanese, Kayan (150), Lao, Sinhala, Tai Daeng, Tamil, Urdu, Vietnamese. Information mainly from F. Lebar, G. Hickey, J. Musgrave 1964; H.C. Purnell 1970; W. Smalley 1976; S. Wurm and S. Hattori 1981; J. Matisoff 1991, J. Matisoff et al. 1996; P. Prachakij- karacak 1995. Blind population: 210,000 (1982 WCE). Deaf institutions: 22. The number of languages listed for Thailand is 74. Of those, all are living languages. Living languages Aheu [thm] 750 in Thailand (1996 Ferlus). Population total all countries: 2,520. The Thavung live in Sakon Nakhon Province, Song Daw District, 3 villages. The Phon Soung live about 100 km south of the Thavung. Also spoken in Laos. Alternate names: Phon Soung, So, Sotawueng. Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Viet-Muong, Thavung More information. Akha [ahk] 60,000 in Thailand (1998). Chiangmai, Chiangrai, Maehongson provinces. 250 villages. Alternate names: Kaw, Ekaw, Ko, Aka, Ikaw, Ak'a, Ahka, Khako, Kha Ko, Khao Kha Ko, Ikor, Aini, Yani. Classification: Sino- Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Lolo-Burmese, Loloish, Southern, Akha, Hani, Ha-Ya More information. Ban Khor Sign [bfk] Northeastern Thailand, a few villages. Language Dialects: Not related to the original sign languages of Thailand, but there is some similarity. Classification: Deaf sign language More information. Bisu [bii] 1,000 in Thailand (1987 Purnell). Southwest Chiangrai, North Lampang. Two main villages, the largest with 100 houses. Alternate names: Mbisu, Mibisu. Classification: http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=TH 2/28/2008 Ethnologue report for Thailand Page 2 of 14 Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Lolo-Burmese, Loloish, Southern, Phunoi More information. Blang [blr] 1,200 in Thailand (1998 SIL). Chiangrai; 1,000 live outside Mae Sai near the northern border, a village of 200 to 300 is near Mae Chan. About 200 live west of Bangkok and work in gardens. Alternate names: Sen Chun, Hkawa, Kawa, K'wa, K'ala, Bulang, Pulang, Pula, Plang, Wa, Khon Doi, Kontoi. Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Northern Mon-Khmer, Palaungic, Western Palaungic, Waic, Bulang More information. Bru, Eastern [bru] 5,000 in Thailand (1983 SIL). Sakon Nakhon Province. Tri are in Kusuman District, Kok Sa-at Bru are in Phanna Nikom and Phang Khon District, about 12 villages; one village in Amnat Charoen Province. Dialects: Tri, Bru Kok Sa-At, Bru Dong Sen Keo. Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Eastern Mon- Khmer, Katuic, West Katuic, Brou-So More information. Bru, Western [brv] 20,000 in Thailand(1991). Dong Luang District of Mukdahan Province. Also spoken in USA. Alternate names: Bruu, B'ru, Baru. Dialects: It is partially intelligible with Eastern Bru. Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Eastern Mon-Khmer, Katuic, West Katuic, Brou-So More information. Cham, Western [cja] 4,000 in Thailand. Ban Khrue, Bangkok, and possibly in refugee camps. Alternate names: Cambodian Cham, Tjam, Cham, New Cham. Classification: Austronesian, Malayo- Polynesian, Malayic, Achinese-Chamic, Chamic, South, Coastal, Cham-Chru More information. Chiangmai [csd] Chiangmai. Alternate names: Chiengmai Sign Language Sign Language. Dialects: Related to present sign languages in Laos and Viet Nam (Haiphong, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City). A distinct language from Thai Sign Language. Classification: Deaf sign language More information. Chinese, [hak] 58,800 in Thailand (1984). Cities. Hakka Alternate names: Hakka. Classification: Sino- Tibetan, Chinese http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=TH 2/28/2008 Ethnologue report for Thailand Page 3 of 14 More information. Chinese, [cmn] 5,880 in Thailand (1984). Bangkok, Mandarin provincial towns, and Kra Peninsula in the south. Dialects: Ho (Haw, Cin Haw, Yunnanese, Western Mandarin, Hui, Hui-Tze, Hwei, Panghse, Pantha, Panthe, Pathee). Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Chinese More information. Chinese, Min [cdo] Alternate names: Eastern Min. Dialects: Dong Fuzhou (Fuchow, Foochow). Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Chinese More information. Chinese, Min [nan] 1,081,920 in Thailand. Population Nan includes 1,058,400 Chaochow (18%), 17,640 Fujian (.3%), 5,880 Hainanese (.1%) (1984). Cities. Alternate names: Min Nan, Minnan. Dialects: Chaozhou (Chaochow, Tiuchiu, Teochow, Techu), Shantou (Swatow), Hainan, Fujian (Fukien, Hokkien). Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Chinese More information. Chinese, Yue [yue] 29,400 in Thailand (1984). Alternate names: Cantonese, Yue, Yueh. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Chinese More information. Chong [cog] 500 in Thailand. Chantaburi, four villages, Trat Province, northwest of Par. Alternate names: Shong, Xong, Chawng. Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Eastern Mon- Khmer, Pearic, Western, Chong More information. Hmong Daw [mww] 32,395 in Thailand (2000 WCD). Petchabun, Tak, Maehongson, Chiangmai, Nan, Chiangrai, Pitsanalok, Loei, Sukhothai, Kamphaengphet, Prae, Phayao, Uttaradit, Lampang. Alternate names: White Meo, White Miao, Meo Kao, White Lum, Peh Miao, Pe Miao, Chuan Miao, Bai Miao. Dialects: Hmong Gu Mba (Hmong Qua Mba, Striped Hmong, Miao Lai), Mong Leng, Petchabun Miao. Classification: Hmong-Mien, Hmongic, Chuanqiandian More information. Hmong Njua [blu] 33,000 in Thailand (1987). Tak, Nan, Chiangmai, Maehongson, Petchabun, Chiangrai, Phayao, Phrae, Loei, Sukhothai, Kamphaengphet, Uthai provinces. Alternate http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=TH 2/28/2008 Ethnologue report for Thailand Page 4 of 14 names: Chuanqiandian Miao, Chuanchientien Miao, Sichuan-Guizhou-Yunnan Hmong, Tak Miao, Meo, Miao, Western Miao. Classification: Hmong-Mien, Hmongic, Chuanqiandian More information. Iu Mien [ium] 40,000 in Thailand (1999). Chiangmai, Chiangrai, Phayao, Lampang, Kampaengphet, Nan, and Sukhothai provinces, 159 villages. Alternate names: Mien, Yao, Mian, Myen, Yiu Mien, Youmian, Highland Yao, Pan Yao. Dialects: Chiangrai. Classification: Hmong- Mien, Mienic, Mian-Jin More information. Karen, Pa'o [blk] 743 in Thailand (2000). Maehongson. Alternate names: Taungtu, Black Karen, Pa-U, Pa'0, Pa Oh. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Karen, Pa'o More information. Karen, Phrae [kjt] Northern Thailand, eastern provinces Pwo including Phrae Province. Alternate names: Pwo Phrae, Phrae, Prae, Northeastern Pwo Karen. Dialects: Not intelligible with other Pwo Karen languages. Lexical similarity 87% with Northern Pwo Karen of Thailand, 67% to 71% with other Pwo Karen varieties. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Karen, Pwo More information. Karen, Pwo [pww] 60,000 (1983 SIL). Mae Sarieng town in Northern northwest Thailand, Mae Ngaw along the Salween River, 15 to 25 villages, Hot to Mae Sarieng (Highway 1099 which runs south to Omkoi). Alternate names: Phlong. Dialects: Mae Ping, Omkoi (Hod), Mae Sarieng. Three dialects are intelligible with each other. The Pwo Karen of Phrae, Kanchanaburi, and Hua Hin are not intelligible with these. Lexical similarity 87% with Phrae Province Pwo Karen of Thailand, 68% to 73% with other Pwo Karen. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto- Burman, Karen, Pwo More information. Karen, Pwo [kjp] 50,000 in Thailand (1998). Tak (Mae Sot Western south), Ulthaithani, Suphanburi, Kanchanaburi, Thailand Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, and Prachuapkhirikhan (Huahin District) provinces. Kanchanaburi dialect is northern, Ratchaburi- Phetchaburi dialect is southern. Alternate names: Phlou, Southern Pwo Karen. Dialects: Kanchanaburi Pwo Karen, Ratchaburi Pwo http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=TH 2/28/2008 Ethnologue report for Thailand Page 5 of 14 Karen (Phetchaburi Pwo Karen). Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Karen, Pwo More information. Karen, S'gaw [ksw] 300,000 in Thailand (1987 E. Hudspith). Tak, Maehongson, Chiangmai, and Chiangrai provinces, near the Myanmar border. Alternate names: S'gaw, S'gau, S'gaw Kayin, Kanyaw, Paganyaw, Pwakanyaw, White Karen, Burmese Karen, Yang Khao. Dialects: Panapu, Palakhi (Palachi). Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Karen, Sgaw-Bghai, Sgaw More information. Kayah, Eastern [eky] 98,642 in Thailand (2000 WCD). Maehongson Province, east of the Salween River. Alternate names: Red Karen, Karennyi, Kayay, Kayah. Classification: Sino- Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Karen, Sgaw-Bghai, Kayah More information. Kensiu [kns] 300 in Thailand. Southern Yala Province, Phattaloong, Satun, Narathiwat provinces, Thai-Malay border. Some in a resettlement camp in Yala. Alternate names: Kense, Kensieu, Kenseu, Kensiw, Sakai, Moniq, Monik, Maniq, Moni, Menik, Meni, Ngok Pa, Orang Bukit, Orang Liar, Mos, Mengo, Tiong, Mawas, Belubn. Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Aslian, North Aslian, Western More information. Khmer, [kxm] 1,117,588 (2000 WCD). Very few are Northern monolingual. Northeastern Thailand, mainly Surin, Sisaket, Buriram, Khorat provinces. Alternate names: Khmer Lue, Thailand Khmer. Dialects: Buriram, Surin, Sisaket. Different from Central Khmer. Dialects are intelligible with each other. Many local varieties. Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Eastern Mon- Khmer, Khmer