Page Type: languageKhmu | Ethnologue

KJG ISO 639-3

Khmu

ກຶມຫມຸ‎ (Kmhmu’) Autonym

A language of Laos

ISO 639
kjg
Alternate Names
Kamhmu, Kammu, Kamu, Khamu, Khamuk, Khmu’, Khomu, Kmhmu, Lao Kang, Lao Terng, Mou, Pouteng, Pu Thenh, Tenh, Theng
Autonym
ກຶມຫມຸ‎ (Kmhmu’)
Population
708,000 in Laos (2015 census). , based on ethnicity. Total users in all countries: 821,350.
Location:
Scattered in the north.
Language Status
5 (Developing).
Classification
Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Northern Mon-Khmer, Khmuic, Mal-Khmu’, Khmu’
Dialects
Yuan, Khroong (Krong, Kroong), Luang Prabang, Sayabury, Cwaa (Lii, Lyy), Rok, U (Eastern Khmu, Uu), Hat. Dialects are grouped into three: Northern Khmu (Cwaa and Yuan), Western Khmu (Khroong and Rok), and Eastern Khmu (Svantesson and Holmer 2015).
Typology
SVO.
Language Use
Vigorous. Used by all. Mixed attitudes. Many also use Lao [lao], especially under the age of 40. Used as L2 by Samtao [stu].
Language Development
Radio. TV. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 1918–2006.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Khmu
Writing
Duota script [Qaaf], used in a small collection of villages well away from the rest of the language group, also used in China. Lao script [Laoo]. Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
Traditional religion.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Khmu
User Population
7,000 in China (2010). , based on ethnicity.
Location
Yunnan province: Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture, Jinghong county, 9 villages, some in Mengla county.
Dialects
Damaile, Damailao.
Language Status
6b (Threatened)
Other Comments
Officially classified as Undetermined Nationality.
View other languages of China
Language Name
Khmu
User Population
1,500 in France (2010).
Language Status
Unestablished
Other Comments
Non-indigenous.
View other languages of France
Language Name
Khmu
User Population
6,250 in Thailand (Luangthongkum 2007). , based on ethnicity.
Location
Chiang Rai, Nan, and Phayao provinces. Scattered throughout Thailand.
Language Status
5 (Developing)
Other Comments
Traditional religion, Christian.
View other languages of Thailand
Language Name
Khmu
User Population
8,000 in United States (2010). , based on ethnicity.
Location
California: Stockton; Virginia: Richmond; Washington: Seattle; Arizona, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Language Status
Unestablished
Other Comments
Non-indigenous. Traditional religion, Christian.
View other languages of United States
Language Name
Khmu
User Population
90,600 in Viet Nam (2019 census). , based on ethnicity.
Location
Dien Bien, Son La, Lai Chau, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Yen Bai provinces.
Language Status
6b (Threatened)
Other Comments
Traditional religion, Christian.
View other languages of Vietnam

Map

Location: Scattered in the north.