Thai, Northern

NOD

developing

Alternate Names: Kam Mu’ang, Kammüang, Kammyang, Khon, Khon Meang, Khon Myang, La Nya, Lan Na, Lanatai, Lanna, Mu’ang, Mung, Myang, Northern Thai, Payap, Phayap, Phyap, Tai Nya, Tai Yon, Tai Yuan, Western Laotian, “Yuan” (pej.)

Dialects: Bandu, Nan, Tai Wang. Nan dialect is more distinct.

Status Notes: De facto language of provincial identity in northern provinces.

Genealogy:

Tai-Kadai
Kam-Tai
Tai
Southwestern

Demographics: 6,000,000 in Thailand (1983 SIL). Population total all countries: 6,029,500.

Language Use: 88% use Northern Thai in the home, 3% use Central Thai [tha], 10% use both. Also use Thai [tha]. Used as L2 by Eastern Lawa [lwl], 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. NT: 1914.

Writing System: Tai Tham (Lanna), Thai

Nation of Origin: Thailand

Other Comments: Yuan is their term for Vietnamese. The name ‘Phyap’ (Phayap) is Sanskrit, north. Buddhist.