Samtao

A language of Myanmar

ISO 639: stu
Alternate Names: Samtau, Samtuan
Population: 9,550 in Myanmar (2000). Total users in all countries: 13,170.
Location:: Shan state: east.
Language Status: 6a (Vigorous).
Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Northern Mon-Khmer, Palaungic, Eastern Palaungic, Angkuic
Language Use: Vigorous. Home, village, community affairs. Used by all. Positive attitudes.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Samtao
Writing: Unwritten [Qaax].
Other Comments: Samtao is used among the Palaungic peoples to refer to unintelligible dialects of Plang [blr]. In China, Samtao refers to Plang in Burma and occasionally to Plang from other China-based varieties with low intelligibility. ‘Samtao’, also refers to south Mong La area in East Shan state between the China border and Nam Lwe River. A third meaning refers to Plang who live in the Samtao area. Wan Phii Plang is a Samtao variety similar to and intelligible with Wan Sen and Wan Nyet, ancient Plang villages along Mong La-Kentung Road further west. A fourth meaning of ‘Samtao’ refers to Palaungic varieties more similar to Wa, such as the Wa, Pangloh, who also refer to themselves as Samtao. 1 Samtao village in Veng Phu Kha insists they speak the ancient Samtao language, but lexically it is Lao [lao] with Mon-Khmer phonology. Traditional religion.

China

Location: Yunnan province: Xishuangbanna prefecture.
Language Status: 8a (Moribund)
Other Comments: Non-indigenous. No recent evidence that this language is still spoken in China. May be officially classified within Blang nationality or Undetermined nationality. Buddhist, traditional religion.

Laos

Location: Bokeo province: Houay Xai district; Luang Namtha province: Ban Tha Oo.
Language Status: 6b (Threatened)
Other Comments: Non-indigenous. Buddhist, traditional religion.

Location: Shan state: east.