Myanmar

Burmese

[mya] 1 (National). Statutory national language (2008, Constitution, Chapter XV, Article 450). 42,000,000 in Myanmar, all users. L1 users: 32,000,000 in Myanmar (Bradley 2007a), increasing. 250,000 Beik, 20,000 Yaw. L2 users: 10,000,000. Total users in all countries: 42,953,240 (as L1: 32,953,240; as L2: 10,000,000).

2 (Provincial)

Wa, Parauk

[prk] 2 (Provincial). De facto provincial language in Shan state. 400,000 in Myanmar (2000 census). Total users in all countries: 805,700.

3 (Wider communication)

Akha

[ahk] 3 (Wider communication). 200,000 in Myanmar (Bradley 2007a).

Chin, Hakha

[cnh] 3 (Wider communication). Used as an LWC in church, market, business, and some media in parts of Chin state: Hakha township, Thantlang township, and parts of Matupi township. 177,000 in Myanmar, all users. L1 users: 137,000 in Myanmar (Leclerc 2017d). L2 users: 40,000 (2013 SIL). Total users in all countries: 210,410 (as L1: 170,410; as L2: 40,000).

Jingpho

[kac] 3 (Wider communication). Lingua franca for Zaiwa [atb], Lashi [lsi], and Lhao Vo [mhx]. 900,000 in Myanmar (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). Total users in all countries: 940,000.

Karen, S’gaw

[ksw] 3 (Wider communication). S’gaw Karen used in the church domain for many Karen languages. 2,050,000 in Myanmar, all users. L1 users: 1,970,000 in Myanmar (Leclerc 2017d). L2 users: 80,000 (2013 SIL). Total users in all countries: 2,250,000 (as L1: 2,170,000; as L2: 80,000).

Lahu

[lhu] 3 (Wider communication). 200,000 in Myanmar (2012 D. Bradley), increasing.

Lisu

[lis] 3 (Wider communication). Many use Lisu as L2. 300,000 in Myanmar (Bradley 2007a).

Rakhine

[rki] 3 (Wider communication). Throughout Rakhine state and in Paletwa township, Chin state. Especially in market, business, oral language at school, and in some media. Rakhine is the largest ethnic group and dominant language in the area and Rakhine people control most business, transport, and trade. 1,820,000 in Myanmar, all users. L1 users: 800,000 in Myanmar (2013 SIL). L2 users: 1,020,000 (2013 SIL). Total users in all countries: 2,020,000 (as L1: 1,000,000; as L2: 1,020,000).

Rawang

[raw] 3 (Wider communication). Matwang dialect is L2 or church language used by other dialect speakers. 62,000 in Myanmar (2000). Total users in all countries: 63,000.

Shan

[shn] 3 (Wider communication). 4,590,000 in Myanmar (Leclerc 2017d). Total users in all countries: 4,685,000.

5 (Dispersed)

Chin, Mara

[mrh] 5 (Dispersed). 20,000 in Myanmar (1994).

Chin, Mizo

[lus] 5 (Dispersed). 12,500 in Myanmar (1983 census).

Chinese, Mandarin

[cmn] 5 (Dispersed). 994,000 in Myanmar (Leclerc 2017d).

Lü

[khb] 5 (Dispersed). 60,000 in Myanmar (2013).

Tai Nüa

[tdd] 5 (Dispersed). 102,000 in Myanmar (Leclerc 2017d).

5 (Developing)

Akeu

[aeu] 5 (Developing). 1,000 in Myanmar (2004 E. Johnson).

Blang

[blr] 5 (Developing). 12,000 in Myanmar (1994).

Chin, Asho

[csh] 5 (Developing). 170,000 in Myanmar (2015 LSDO). Total users in all countries: 174,000.

Chin, Bawm

[bgr] 5 (Developing). 700 in Myanmar (2016 LSDO), decreasing.

Chin, Bualkhaw

[cbl] 5 (Developing). 2,500 (2006).

Chin, Daai

[dao] 5 (Developing). 37,000 (2010).

Chin, Eastern Khumi

[cek] 5 (Developing). 12,000 (2009 SIL). Total for all the Eastern Khumi groups.

Chin, Falam

[cfm] 5 (Developing). 69,000 in Myanmar (1983). 9,000 Taisun, 16,000 Zanniat, 7,000 Khualsim, 4,000 Lente, 14,400 Zahau, 18,600 Laizo (1983). Total users in all countries: 107,900.

Chin, Kaang

[ckn] 5 (Developing). 1,000 (2010 SIL).

Chin, Khumi

[cnk] 5 (Developing). 60,000 in Myanmar (2006). Total users in all countries: 64,000.

Chin, Laitu

[clj] 5 (Developing). 15,000 (2007 SIL).

Chin, Lautu

[clt] 5 (Developing). 15,000 (2005 SIL).

Chin, Matu

[hlt] 5 (Developing). 30,000 in Myanmar (2012). Total users in all countries: 40,000.

Chin, Müün

[mwq] 5 (Developing). 15,000 (2011).

Chin, Ngawn

[cnw] 5 (Developing). 18,600 (Leclerc 2017d).

Chin, Siyin

[csy] 5 (Developing). 10,700 (Leclerc 2017d).

Chin, Sumtu

[csv] 5 (Developing). 14,000 (2007 SIL).

Chin, Tedim

[ctd] 5 (Developing). 256,000 in Myanmar (Leclerc 2017d). Total users in all countries: 411,000.

Chin, Thado

[tcz] 5 (Developing). 33,100 in Myanmar (Leclerc 2017d).

Chin, Thaiphum

[cth] 5 (Developing). 1,000 (2005 SIL).

Chin, Zotung

[czt] 5 (Developing). 40,000 (1990 UBS).

Chin, Zyphe

[zyp] 5 (Developing). 17,000 in Myanmar (1994). Total users in all countries: 20,000.

Karen, Geba

[kvq] 5 (Developing). 40,000 (2010 Geba Literature and Culture Committee).

Karen, Pwo Eastern

[kjp] 5 (Developing). 1,000,000 in Myanmar (1998). Total users in all countries: 1,050,000.

Kayah, Western

[kyu] 5 (Developing). 150,000 (2007). 2,000 refugees in Thailand.

Kayan

[pdu] 5 (Developing). 133,000 in Myanmar (2005 E. Phan). Total users in all countries: 133,600.

Kayaw

[kvl] 5 (Developing). 20,100 (Leclerc 2017d).

Khamti

[kht] 5 (Developing). 8,000 in Myanmar (2000). Total users in all countries: 13,000.

Khün

[kkh] 5 (Developing). 100,000 in Myanmar (Diller and Juntanamalaga 1990). Total users in all countries: 106,880.

Lacid

[lsi] 5 (Developing). 30,000 in Myanmar (2000 D. Bradley). Total users in all countries: 31,800.

Lahu Shi

[lhi] 5 (Developing). 60,000 in Myanmar (2007).

Lhao Vo

[mhx] 5 (Developing). 121,000 in Myanmar (Leclerc 2017d). Total users in all countries: 124,500.

Mon

[mnw] 5 (Developing). 743,000 in Myanmar (2004), decreasing. Ethnic population: 1,000,000 (Bradley 2007b). Total users in all countries: 851,000.

Muak Sa-aak

[ukk] 5 (Developing). 4,500 in Myanmar (2016 E. Hall).

Myanmar Sign Language

[ysm] 5 (Developing). 270,000 (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 160,000–320,000 signers, assuming 0.1%–0.5% of the general population.

Naga, Khiamniungan

[kix] 5 (Developing). 10,000 in Myanmar (2010).

Naga, Konyak

[nbe] 5 (Developing). 2,000 in Myanmar (2010).

Naga, Lainong

[lzn] 5 (Developing). 15,000 (Wayesha 2010).

Naga, Tangshang

[nst] 5 (Developing). 60,000 in Myanmar (2010). Total users in all countries: 98,600.

Ngochang

[acn] 5 (Developing). 35,000 in Myanmar (2007).

Palaung, Ruching

[pce] 5 (Developing). 258,000 in Myanmar (2000). Total users in all countries: 273,300.

Palaung, Rumai

[rbb] 5 (Developing). 158,000 in Myanmar (Leclerc 2017d). Total users in all countries: 162,100.

Palaung, Shwe

[pll] 5 (Developing). 231,000 in Myanmar (Leclerc 2017d). Total users in all countries: 233,000.

Pa’o

[blk] 5 (Developing). 858,000 in Myanmar (Leclerc 2017d). Total users in all countries: 858,740.

Pyen

[pyy] 5 (Developing). 600 (2013 Pyen Language Committee).

Zaiwa

[atb] 5 (Developing). 33,000 in Myanmar (2021).

[zom] 5 (Developing). 61,000 in Myanmar (2012 P. Tungdim). Total users in all countries: 87,500.

6a (Vigorous)

Chakma

[ccp] 6a (Vigorous).

Chin, Ekai

[cey] 6a (Vigorous). 6,000 (2018 P. Nan).

Chin, Rawngtu

[weu] 6a (Vigorous). 5,000 (2008).

Chin, Senthang

[sez] 6a (Vigorous). 33,000 (2007 SIL).

Chin, Songlai

[csj] 6a (Vigorous). 7,300 (2012 SIL).

Chin, Tawr

[tcp] 6a (Vigorous). 580 (Khun 2019), decreasing.

Chin, Uppu

[cnb] 6a (Vigorous). 44,400 (Leclerc 2017d).

Danu

[dnv] 6a (Vigorous). 100,000 (Bradley 2007a).

Drung

[duu] 6a (Vigorous). 225 in Myanmar (2013 SIL).

Hmong Njua

[hnj] 6a (Vigorous). 10,000 in Myanmar (2000).

Intha

[int] 6a (Vigorous). 90,000 (2000 D. Bradley).

Kanan

[zkn] 6a (Vigorous). 9,000 (2007 SIL). No monolinguals.

Karen, Geko

[ghk] 6a (Vigorous). 17,000 (Manson 2010).

Karen, Paku

[jkp] 6a (Vigorous). 6,710 (Leclerc 2017d).

Kawyaw

[kxf] 6a (Vigorous). 10,000 (2000 D. Bradley). Ethnic population: 10,000 (Bradley 2007b).

Kayah, Eastern

[eky] 6a (Vigorous). 8,000 in Myanmar (2007). Total users in all countries: 26,000.

Lahta

[kvt] 6a (Vigorous). 9,550 (2000).

Mok

[mqt] 6a (Vigorous). 4,000 in Myanmar (2018 S. Devereux). Total users in all countries: 4,700.

Mru

[mro] 6a (Vigorous). 20,000 in Myanmar (1999 ABWE).

Naga, Akyaung Ari

[nqy] 6a (Vigorous). 1,000 (2004 SIL).

Naga, Chen-Kayu

[nqq] 6a (Vigorous). 9,000 (2012 SIL).

Naga, Jejara

[pzn] 6a (Vigorous). 1,500 (2004).

Naga, Kokak

[nxk] 6a (Vigorous). 2,000 (2004 SIL).

Naga, Lao

[nlq] 6a (Vigorous). 1,000 (2012 SIL).

Naga, Long Phuri

[lpn] 6a (Vigorous). 1,000 (2004).

Naga, Makuri

[jmn] 6a (Vigorous). 2,500 in Myanmar (2004). Total users in all countries: 6,500.

Naga, Paungnyuan

[umn] 6a (Vigorous). 4,000 (2008 SIL).

Naga, Ponyo-Gongwang

[npg] 6a (Vigorous). 4,500 (2008 SIL).

Naga, Tangkhul

[ntx] 6a (Vigorous). 4,000 (2004 SIL).

Riang Lang

[ril] 6a (Vigorous). 12,500 in Myanmar (2008). Total users in all countries: 15,500.

Rohingya

[rhg] 6a (Vigorous). 484,000 in Myanmar (2017 The Arakan Project). Due to unrest, numbers are very uncertain. Total users in all countries: 2,529,250.

Samtao

[stu] 6a (Vigorous). 9,550 in Myanmar (2000). Total users in all countries: 13,170.

Tai Loi

[tlq] 6a (Vigorous). Population information is not yet available for the other groups known as Tai Loi.

Taungyo

[tco] 6a (Vigorous). 40,000 (2000 D. Bradley).

Tavoyan

[tvn] 6a (Vigorous). 400,000 (2000 D. Bradley).

Tibetan, Khams

[khg] 6a (Vigorous). 300 in Myanmar (2010 D. Bradley).

Yinbaw

[kvu] 6a (Vigorous). 9,240 (Leclerc 2017d).

Zayein

[kxk] 6a (Vigorous). 11,800 (Leclerc 2017d).

6b (Threatened)

Anal

[anm] 6b* (Threatened). 50 in Myanmar (2010).

Chak

[ckh] 6b (Threatened). 1,000 in Myanmar (Bradley 2007b). Ethnic population: 1,600 (Bradley 2007b).

Chin, Anu-Khongso

[anl] 6b (Threatened). 4,000 (2008), decreasing.

Chin, Rungtu

[rtc] 6b* (Threatened). 4,000 (2016 LSDO), decreasing. Ethnic population: 20,000 (2016 LSDO).

Danau

[dnu] 6b (Threatened). 2,000 (Bradley 2007b). Ethnic population: 5,000 (Bradley 2007b).

Kadu

[zkd] 6b (Threatened). 30,000 (2007 SIL), decreasing. Over 30 villages in Mawteik dialect (nearly extinct); over 30 villages in Settaw dialect; 5 villages in Mawkhwin dialect. No monolinguals.

Karen, Bwe

[bwe] 6b (Threatened). 17,200 (1997 F. Bennett), decreasing. No monolinguals.

Karen, Mobwa

[jkm] 6b (Threatened). 4,000 (2010 SIL). Also live mixed with Bwe Karen [bwe] and Paku Karen [jkp] in some villages.

Karen, Pwo Western

[pwo] 6b (Threatened). 210,000, decreasing.

Moken

[mwt] 6b (Threatened). 4,000 in Myanmar (Bradley 2007a). Total users in all countries: 6,000.

Mro-Khimi

[cmr] 6b (Threatened). 75,000 (2012 SIL). Ethnic population: 200,000 (2018).

Nusu

[nuf] 6b (Threatened). 670 in Myanmar (2011), decreasing. No monolinguals. Ethnic population: 1,500 (2011).

Riang Lai

[yin] 6b (Threatened). 12,000 (2008), decreasing.

Tai Laing

[tjl] 6b* (Threatened). 100,000 (2010 SIL).

Wa, Vo

[wbm] 6b* (Threatened). 700 in Myanmar (2012).

Yintale

[kvy] 6b (Threatened). 1,000 (2000 D. Bradley), decreasing. Wa Awng village is main village, with 100 households. Ethnic population: 10,000 (Bradley 2007b).

8a (Moribund)

Anong

[nun] 8a (Moribund). 400 in Myanmar (2000 D. Bradley), decreasing. Ethnic population: 10,000 (Bradley 2007b). Total users in all countries: 450.

9 (Dormant)

Hpon

[hpo] 9 (Dormant). No known L1 speakers. Last known speaker survived into the 1990s (Bradley 2007b). Ethnic population: 1,500 (Bradley 2007a).

Taman

[tcl] 9 (Dormant). No known L1 speakers. Last Taman speaker died in 1990s. Descendants intermarried and now speak other languages.

9 (Second language only)

Pali

[pli] 9 (Second language only). No known L1 speakers in Myanmar. Ethnic population: No ethnic community.

10 (Extinct)

Wewaw

[wea] 10 (Extinct). No known L1 speakers. Probably extinct by late 20th century.

Unestablished

Bengali

[ben] Unestablished. 286,000 in Myanmar (Leclerc 2017d).

English

[eng] Unestablished. 45,600 in Myanmar (Leclerc 2017d).

Hindi

[hin] Unestablished. 133,000 in Myanmar (Leclerc 2017d).

Nepali

[npi] Unestablished. 299,000 in Myanmar (Leclerc 2017d).

Odia

[ory] Unestablished. 122,000 in Myanmar (Leclerc 2017d).

Tamil

[tam] Unestablished. 151,000 in Myanmar (Leclerc 2017b).

Telugu

[tel] Unestablished. 140,000 in Myanmar (Leclerc 2017d).

Myanmar

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