Page Type: languageJingpho | Ethnologue

KAC ISO 639-3

Jingpho

Jinghpo Autonym

A language of Myanmar

ISO 639
kac
Alternate Names
Aphu, Chingp’o, Chingpaw, Jinghpaw, Jingphaw, Kachin, Phu
Autonym
Jinghpo
Population
900,000 in Myanmar (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). Total users in all countries: 940,000.
Location:
Kachin state: large area except north and southwest; Shan state: Lashio and Muse districts; Sagaing region: western border strip.
Language Status
3 (Wider communication). Lingua franca for Zaiwa [atb], Lashi [lsi], and Lhao Vo [mhx].
Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Sal, Jingppaw-Asakia, Jingphaw
Dialects
Hkaku (Hka-Hku, Hkahku), Kauri (Gauri, Guari, Hkauri), Dzili (Jili), Dulong (Dalaung, Duleng). Dzili is likely a separate language that is most likely extinct. Hkaku and Kauri are only slightly different. Lexical similarity: 50% with Singhpo [sgp] of India.
Typology
SOV; adjectives and numbers follow nouns; singular, dual, plural pronouns; tense-lax vowel distinction; 4 tones.
Language Use
Most domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Burmese [mya]. Used as L2 by Khamti [kht], Lacid [lsi], Lhao Vo [mhx], Lisu [lis], Rawang [raw], Rumai Palaung [rbb], Zaiwa [atb].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 60%–100%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75%. Some community literacy classes. Literature. Newspapers. Radio. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 1927–2016.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Jingpho
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
Kachin refers to a cultural, not linguistic, group. Christian.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Jingpho
User Population
40,000 in China (1999 X. Xijian). 20,000 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 148,000 (2010 census). Includes Lashi [lsi], Lhaovo [mhx], Pela [bxd], and Zaiwa [atb] speakers (2010 census).
Location
Yunnan province: Baoshan prefecture, Tengchong county; Dehong Dai-Jingpo autonomous prefecture, Longchuan, Ruili, and Yingjiang counties.
Dialects
Enkun (Nkhum, Nkhumka), Shidan (Satanka, Xidan), Hkaku (Hka-Hku), Kauri (Gauri, Hkauri, Kauzhika, Khauri), Mengzhi, Dzili (Jili), Dulong.
Language Status
6a (Vigorous)
Other Comments
Kachin refers to the cultural rather than the linguistic group. Traditional religion, Buddhist, Christian.
View other languages of China

Map

Location: Kachin state: large area except north and southwest; Shan state: Lashio and Muse districts; Sagaing region: western border strip.