Alternate Names: Burmese Shan, Great Thai, “Ngeo” (pej.), “Ngiao” (pej.), “Ngiaw” (pej.), “Ngio” (pej.), “Ngiow” (pej.), Sam, Sha, Shan Bama, Shan Gyi, Tai Long, Tai Luang, Tai Shan, Tai Yai, Tai-Lon, Thai Yai
Dialects: Northern Shan State, Southern Shan State, Tai Mao (Mao Shan, Tai Khe). Regional dialect differences. Low intelligibility of Lü ,.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 3,200,000 in Myanmar (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). 350,000 Tai Mao (1990 A. Diller). Population total all countries: 3,295,000. L2 users: Minority speakers in Shan State.
Language Use: Vigorous. All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use Burmese [mya], Thai [tha]. Used as L2 by Eastern Kayah [eky], Khün [kkh], Lahu [lhu], Pa’o [blk], Parauk Wa [prk], Pyen [pyy], Riang [ril], Ruching Palaung [pce], Rumai Palaung [rbb], Shwe Palaung [pll], Yinchia [yin].
Language Development: Bible: 1892–1995.
Writing System: Myanmar (Burmese)
Nation of Origin: Myanmar
Other Comments: Tai Mao (Mao Shan, Tai Khe) is linguistically closer to Tai Nüa , but political and cultural factors lead them to identify with Shan. Buddhist.