Alternate Names: Chinese Shan, Chinese Tai, Dai Kong, Dai Na, Dai Nuea, Daide, Dehong, Dehong Dai, Tai Dehong, Tai Le, Tai Mao, Tai Neua, Tai nö, Tai Nü, Tai Nue, Tai taü, Tai-Kong, Tai-Le, Yunannese Shan, Yunnan Shant’ou
Dialects: Mangshi (Debao, Dehong, Taile), Menggeng (Taita), Tai Pong (Ka, La, Sai, Tai Ka, Ya, You), Yongren.
Status Notes: Language of recognized nationality: Dai.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 540,000 in China (Zhou Yaowen and Luo Meizhen 2001). Population total all countries: 717,400. Ethnic population: 610,000 (Zhou Yaowen and Luo Meizhen 2001). Includes Tai Lü, Tai Hongjin, Tai Ya, Tai Dam and Tai Dón.
Language Use: Also use Mandarin Chinese [cmn]. Used as L2 by Achang [acn].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L2: 84% literate in any language (2000 census, Dai nationality). Tai Nüa has traditional script and tradition of literacy, so percentages probably include literacy in Liek or Chinese script or both. Taught in primary and secondary schools. Dictionary. Bible portions: 1931–1948.
Typology: SVO; modifiers follow heads.
Writing System: Tai Le
Nation of Origin: China
Other Comments: Northern Shan-like varieties in China are referred to collectively as Tai Na, or Dehong Dai in Chinese. Buddhist (Theravada), traditional religion.