Alternate Names: Dai, Dai Le, Lu, Lue, Ly, Pai’i’, Pai-I, Shui-Pai-I, Sipsongpanna Dai, Tai Lu, Xishuangbanna Dai
Dialects: Jinghong. Muang Yong and dialects in northern Thailand may converge phonologically with Northern Thai , (Diller and Juntanamalaga 1990). Low intelligibility with Shan , and Tai Nüa ,. Different from Tai Nüa ,, each having their own literary tradition. Lexical similarity: 95% with Northern Thai ,, 86% with Central Thai ,, 92%–93% with Shan ,, 92%–95% with Khün ,.
Status Notes: Language of recognized nationality: Dai.Some speakers of other languages use Lü as L2 for trade.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 280,000 in China (2000 census). Population total all countries: 550,960. 140,000 monolinguals.
Language Use: Vigorous. All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use Chinese [cmn]. Some schools only teach in Chinese. Also use Jingpho [kac]. Used as L2 by Bisu [bzi], Blang [blr], Buyuan Jinuo [jiy], Hani [hni], Lahu [lhu], Lisu [lis], Ruching Palaung [pce], Samtao [stu], Sangkong [sgk], Vo Wa [wbm], Youle Jinuo [jiu].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 84% literate in any language (2000 census, Dai nationality). Given that Tai Lü has a traditional script and tradition of literacy, the literacy figure probably includes significant percentages literate in Lü Scripts, as well as percentages educated in Chinese, as well as some literate in both languages. Taught in primary and secondary schools. Magazines. Newspapers. Radio programs. TV. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1933.
Typology: SVO; modifiers follow noun heads.
Writing System: New Tai Lue, Tai Tham (Lanna)
Nation of Origin: China
Other Comments: Traditional Lü script is used in monastaries and reformed version used in some government functions. Traditional religion, Buddhist.