Page Type: languageShan | Ethnologue

SHN ISO 639-3

Shan

လိၵ်ႈတႆး‎ (Lik Tai) Autonym

A language of Myanmar

ISO 639
shn
Alternate Names
Burmese Shan, Great Thai, Sam, Sha, Shan Bama, Shan Gyi, Tai, Tai Long, Tai Luang, Tai Shan, Tai Yai, Tai-Lon, Thai Yai, “Ngeo” (pej.), “Ngiao” (pej.), “Ngiaw” (pej.), “Ngio” (pej.), “Ngiow” (pej.)
Autonym
လိၵ်ႈတႆး‎ (Lik Tai)
Population
4,590,000 in Myanmar (Leclerc 2017d). Total users in all countries: 4,685,000.
Location:
Kachin state: Mansi and Mogaung townships, Bhamo, Mohnyin, west Momauk, and south Myitkyina; Kayah state: Loikaw; Mandalay region: assorted north border areas; Sagaing region: Homalin and Tamu townships; Shan state: north in Konkyan, Muse, and Nanhkan townships, to south in Hsihseng, Langko, Mawkwa, and Mongpan townships; southeast in Matman, Mongkhet, Monghpyak, Mongyang, and Mongyawng townships. Myanmar-Yunnan border, Mu’ang Mao Long and Namkham (Tai Mao dialect).
Language Status
3 (Wider communication).
Classification
Kra-Dai, Kam-Tai, Tai, Southwestern
Dialects
Tai Mao (Mao Shan, Tai Khe), Northern Shan State, Southern Shan State. Regional dialect differences. Low intelligibility of Lü [khb].
Language Use
Vigorous. All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Burmese [mya]. Also use Thai [tha]. Used as L2 by Eastern Kayah [eky], Khün [kkh], Lahu [lhu], Mok [mqt], Pa’o [blk], Parauk Wa [prk], Pyen [pyy], Riang Lai [yin], Riang Lang [ril], Ruching Palaung [pce], Rumai Palaung [rbb], Shwe Palaung [pll].
Language Development
Bible: 1892–2002.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Shan
Writing
Myanmar (Burmese) script [Mymr].
Other Comments
Tai Mao (Mao Shan, Tai Khe) is linguistically closer to Tai Nüa [tdd] but political and cultural factors lead them to identify with Shan. Buddhist.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Shan
Location
Yunnan province: Myanmar border area, 1 village.
Language Status
5 (Dispersed)
Other Comments
Non-indigenous.
View other languages of China
Language Name
Shan
User Population
95,000 in Thailand (2006 Mahidol University).
Location
Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, and Tak provinces; Chiang Rai: Mae Sai district.
Dialects
Mae Hong Son.
Language Status
5 (Dispersed)
Other Comments
Buddhist, Christian, traditional religion.
View other languages of Thailand

Map

Location: Kachin state: Mansi and Mogaung townships, Bhamo, Mohnyin, west Momauk, and south Myitkyina; Kayah state: Loikaw; Mandalay region: assorted north border areas; Sagaing region: Homalin and Tamu townships; Shan state: north in Konkyan, Muse, and Nanhkan townships, to south in Hsihseng, Langko, Mawkwa, and Mongpan townships; southeast in Matman, Mongkhet, Monghpyak, Mongyang, and Mongyawng townships. Myanmar-Yunnan border, Mu’ang Mao Long and Namkham (Tai Mao dialect).