Thai, Northern | Ethnologue

A language of Thailand

ISO 639: nod
Alternate Names: Kam Mu’ang, Kammyang, Kammüang, Khon, Khon Mueang, Khon Myang, Khonmuang, La Nya, Lan Na, Lanatai, Lanna, Mu’ang, Mueang, Mung, Myang, Payap, Phayap, Phyap, Tai Nya, Western Laotian, “Tai Yon” (pej.), “Tai Yuan” (pej.), “Yuan” (pej.)
Autonym: คำเมือง‎ (Kam Mueang)
Population: 6,000,000 in Thailand (1983 SIL). Total users in all countries: 6,029,500.
Location:: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Kamphaeng Phet, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Phayao, Phrae, Sukhothai, Tak, Uttaradit provinces.
Language Status: 3 (Wider communication). De facto language of provincial identity in northern provinces. Northern Thai is used as a language of wider communication among many of the tribal groups in Northern Thailand (Herington et al 2013).
Classification: Kra-Dai, Kam-Tai, Tai, Southwestern
Dialects: Nan, Bandu, Tai Wang. Nan dialect is more distinct.
Typology: 20 consonants, 21 vowels.
Language Use: Most use Northern Thai in the home. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Some also use Thai [tha]. Used as L2 by Akha [ahk], Bisu [bzi], Eastern Lawa [lwl], Hakka Chinese [hak], Iu Mien [ium], Lü [khb], Mlabri [mra], Mpi [mpz], Phrae Pwo Karen [kjt], Prai [prt], Tai Ya [cuu], Western Lawa [lcp], Yong [yno].
Language Development: Newspapers. Dictionary. NT: 1914–2017.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Thai, Northern
Writing: Tai Tham (Lanna) script [Lana], limited usage. Thai script [Thai].
Other Comments: Yuan is their term for Vietnamese [vie]. The name ‘Phyap’ (Phayap) is Sanskrit [san], north. Buddhist.