Alternate Names: Esarn, Isaan, Isan, Issan, Thai Isaan
Dialects: Central Isan (Kalerng, Kaleung, Kaloeng), Korat, Northern Isan, Southern Isan. Korat dialect is quite different, and may be a separate language.
Status Notes: De facto language of provincial identity in east, northeast provinces.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 15,000,000 (1983 SIL). At least 1,000,000 in Bangkok. Kalerng has a few thousand speakers (1990 A. Diller).
Language Use: 88% use Isan dialect in the home, 1% use Central Thai, 11% use both. Used as L2 by Kuy [kdt], Northern Khmer [kxm], Nyaw [nyw], Phu Thai [pht], Yoy [yoy].
Typology: SVO.
Writing System: Thai
Nation of Origin: Thailand
Other Comments: Buddhist.