Page Type: languageAchang | Ethnologue

ACN ISO 639-3

Achang

Ngachang Autonym

A language of China

ISO 639
acn
Alternate Names
Acang, Ach’ang, Achung, Ahchan, Atsang, Lawng, Maingtha, Mönghsa, Ngac’ang, Ngacang, Ngatsang, Ngo Chang, Ngochang, Xiandao
Autonym
Ngachang
Population
27,700 in China (1990 census). Ethnic population: 39,600 (2010 census). Total users in all countries: 62,700.
Location:
Yunnan province: Baoshan prefecture, Longling and Tengchong counties; Dali Bai autonomous prefecture, Yunlong county; Dehong Dai-Jingpo autonomous prefecture and Baoshan district, Liangge, Longchuan, Luxi, and Yingjiang counties, Myanmar border area.
Language Status
7 (Shifting). Language of recognized nationality: Achang.
Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Ngwi-Burmese, Burmish, Northern
Dialects
Longchuan, Lianghe, Luxi, Kantau (Chintaw, Husa, Xiandao). Each of the 3 main counties has a distinctive dialect (Statistical Bureau of Yunnan Province 2004). Longchuan differs more from the others, with more Dai loanwords. Kantau is nearly extinct with just 30 speakers in 2005 (Shearer and Sun 2017). Related to Hpon [hpo], Maru [mhx], Lashi [lsi], Zaiwa [atb]. Lexical similarity: 68% between Luxi and Lianghe, 53% between Longchuan and Luxi, 51% between Longchuan and Lianghe (Shearer and Sun 2017).
Typology
SOV; 24 consonant, 7 vowels and 4 diphthongs; tonal (4 tones); voice quality contrast.
Language Use
Longchan dialect is stable, but other dialect speakers are shifting to Chinese. Many Han people in Longchuan county use Achang in informal situations. All domains. Adults only. Many shifting to Mandarin Chinese [cmn]. Some also use Jingpho [kac].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 86% (2000 census). Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 2011.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Achang
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
Buddhist.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Ngochang
User Population
35,000 in Myanmar (2007).
Location
Kachin state: Jahpui, Lawhkawng, Hpimaw, Uyan, and Waimaw townships, west of Ayeyarwaddy river near Bhamo (locally known as Manmaw); China border area.
Language Status
5 (Developing)
Other Comments
Burmese glossonym: Maingtha, Chinese glossonym: Achang. Christian.
View other languages of Myanmar

Map

Location: Yunnan province: Baoshan prefecture, Longling and Tengchong counties; Dali Bai autonomous prefecture, Yunlong county; Dehong Dai-Jingpo autonomous prefecture and Baoshan district, Liangge, Longchuan, Luxi, and Yingjiang counties, Myanmar border area.