Alternate Names: Abo, Kyam, Molao, Mulao, Mulao Miao, Muliao, Mulou
Dialects: None known. Lexical similarity: 65% with Dong (probably Southern Dong ,).
Status Notes: Language of recognized nationality: Mulam.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 86,000 (2005 GXLOUS). Fewer than 10,000 monolinguals (including women and preschool children). Ethnic population: 210,000 (2000 census).
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). Mainly older adults. Positive attitudes. Written Chinese [cmn] in common use. Also use various Chinese varieties or a Northern Zhuang language.
Language Development: Literacy rate in L2: 94% (2000 census, Mulao nationality). Taught in primary schools. Radio programs.
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).
Nation of Origin: China
Other Comments: They live near the Han, Dong ,, Hmong Njua ,, and Iu Mien ,. They call themselves Mulam. Some around Luocheng call themselves Kyam. Different from the nearly extinct Western Kra Tai-Kadai language also called Mulao ,, previously spoken by Gelao nationality people in Guizhou. Traditional religion, Buddhist, Daoist.