Chin, Laitu | Ethnologue

A language of Myanmar

ISO 639: clj
Alternate Names: Daitu, Hio Bei, Hle-tu, Laikhy, Laitu Kheu, Ledu, Leitu
Autonym: Laitu Chin
Population: 15,000 (2007 SIL).
Location:: Rakhine state: Sittwe district, Minpya, Mrauk-U, and Myepung townships; Chin state: Paletwa township.
Language Status: 5 (Developing).
Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Kuki-Chin, Peripheral, Southern, Cho-Asho, Asho
Dialects: Panmyaunggyi Stream (Kongtu), Phuntha Stream (Daaitu), Kanni Stream, Yaw Stream. Dialects tend to differ by stream. High intelligibility within the main dialect area along the Kanni Stream and Yaw Stream. Lower intelligibility with more distant dialect areas, such as Dalet Stream. Intelligibility to some extent with Sumtu Chin [csv]. Low intelligibility with Uppu Chin [cnb]. Low intelligibility with Songlai [csj]. Lexical similarity: 91%–96% with Sumtu Chin [csv] and Songlai Chin [csj] (but other factors block comprehension since they must use another language to communicate), 85%–89% with Uppu Chin [cnb], 82%–84% with Asho [csh].
Language Use: Vigorous. All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. All also use Rakhine [rki].
Language Development: Literacy classes are being taught in some communities.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Chin, Laitu
Writing: Latin script [Latn], preliminary orthography developed in 2009.
Other Comments: Buddhist, Christian, traditional religion.

Location: Rakhine state: Sittwe district, Minpya, Mrauk-U, and Myepung townships; Chin state: Paletwa township.