Bahnar

Print

Primary tabs

A language of Viet Nam

ISO 639-3
bdq
Alternate Names
Ba Na
Autonym
Bahnar
User Population

287,000 (2019 census), based on ethnicity.

Location

Gia Lai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, and Kon Tum provinces.

Language Maps
Language Status

5* (Developing). Language of recognized ethnic group: Ba Na.

Classification
Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Eastern Mon-Khmer, Bahnaric, Central Bahnaric
Dialects

Tolo, Golar, Alakong (A-La Cong), Jolong (Gio-Lang, Y-Lang), Bahnar Bonom (Bomam), Kontum, Krem. Other dialects or ethnic names: Roh, Kpang Cong. Reportedly most similar to Alak [alk], Tampuan [tpu], and Romam [rmx].

Language Use

Also use Vietnamese [vie].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 10%–30%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75%. Radio. Dictionary. Bible: 2015.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Bahnar
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Ba Na is an official ethnic community 227,715 (2009 census) that also includes Rengao [ren]. Traditional religion, Christian.