Page Type: languageMulam | Ethnologue

MLM ISO 639-3

Mulam

A language of China

ISO 639
mlm
Alternate Names
Abo, Kyam, Molao, Mulao, Mulao Miao, Muliao, Mulou
Population
86,000 (2005 GXLOUS). Fewer than 10,000 monolinguals (including women and preschool children). Ethnic population: 216,000 (2010 census).
Location:
Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region: Hechi prefecture, Luocheng Mulao autonomous county (90% in Dongmen and Siba communes); Yizhou county.
Language Status
6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality: Mulao.
Classification
Kra-Dai, Kam-Tai, Kam-Sui
Dialects
None known. Lexical similarity: 65% with Dong (probably Southern Dong [kmc]).
Typology
SVO; reduplication; aspirated, palatalized, labialized, voiceless nasal, lateral onsets; nasal and stop finals; many Chinese loans; 6 tone categories in unchecked syllables, 2 in checked (split into 4 according to vowel length).
Language Use
Vigorous. Most domains, Daoist and Buddhist services. 87% speak Mulam at home; 57% speak it outside the home. 82% speak Mulam to their children. (2005 GXLOUS). Some of all ages. Positive attitudes. Also use Mandarin Chinese [cmn], commonly in writing.
Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 94% (2000 census, Mulao nationality). Taught in primary schools. Radio.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Mulam
Writing
Unwritten [Qaax].
Other Comments
They live near the Han, Dong [doc], Hmong Njua [hnj], and Iu Mien [ium]. They call themselves Mulam. Some around Luocheng call themselves Kyam. Different from the nearly extinct Western Kra Tai-Kadai language also called Mulao [giu], previously spoken by Gelao nationality people in Guizhou. Traditional religion, Buddhist, Daoist.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region: Hechi prefecture, Luocheng Mulao autonomous county (90% in Dongmen and Siba communes); Yizhou county.