Lhao Vo | Ethnologue

A language of Myanmar

ISO 639: mhx
Alternate Names: Diso, Lang, Laungaw, Laungwaw, Lawgore, Lawng, Liangsu, Lovo, Malu, Mulu, Zi, “Maru” (pej.)
Autonym: Lhaovo
Population: 121,000 in Myanmar (Leclerc 2017d). Total users in all countries: 124,500.
Location:: Kachin state: Chiphwe, Sawlaw, and Waimaw townships widely dispersed in east border area; Shan state: Kutkai township north.
Language Status: 5 (Developing).
Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Ngwi-Burmese, Burmish, Northern
Dialects: Dago’ Lawng Bit, Zagaran Mran, Gawan Naw’, Hlo’lan, Laking, Wa Khawk, Lawng Hsu. Lawng Hsu may have difficult intelligibility with the other dialects.
Typology: SOV; tense-lax vowel distinction; loans from Jingpho [kac], Daai Chin[dao], Burmese [mya], and Chinese [cmn]; 3 tones.
Language Use: Vigorous. Most domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Jingpho [kac].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L2: 25%–50%. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 2009.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Lhao Vo
Writing: Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments: Different from Mru [mro] and Mro-Khimi [cmr] of northwest Rakhine state and Paletwa township, South Chin state. Culturally similar to Kachin. Christian.

China

Location: Yunnan province: Dehong Dai-Jingpo autonomous prefecture, Lianghe, Longchuan, Luxi, Ruili, and Yingjiang counties.
Language Status: 6b (Threatened)
Other Comments: Non-indigenous. Different from the Matu variety of Khumi Chin [cnk]. Maru speakers reportedly preserve ancient cultural characteristics more than other ethnic groups.

Location: Kachin state: Chiphwe, Sawlaw, and Waimaw townships widely dispersed in east border area; Shan state: Kutkai township north.