Bisu
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A language of Thailand
700 (2016 K. Person). No monolinguals (2015 K. Person). Ethnic population: 700 (2018 K. Person).
Chiang Rai province: Doi Chomphu and Pui Kham villages.
5 (Developing).
SOV; simple syllable structure; certain obstruent onsets may be prenasalized, aspirated, or palatalized, but otherwise no consonant clusters; syllables may be closed by stop or nasal; 3 tones, tone sandhi; words have 1 or 2 syllables; modifiers follow heads; loanwords from Dai and Chinese.
Used by all. All children learn the language along with Northern Thai [nod] from birth, but since some pre-school age children attend daycare in Northern Thai [nod] speaking facilities, there is some concern that the children at that age will develop a preference for Northern Thai [nod] over Bisu (Person 2005). Also use Northern Thai [nod], especially younger generations.
Literacy rate in L2: 90%. Literacy classes held at weekend in Doi Chompu. Oral and written materials developed. Literature. Grammar. Texts. NT: 2015.
The terms ‘Lawa’ and ‘Lua’ generally refer to Waic language varieties in Thailand: sometimes outsiders have classified unrelated languages such as Bisu in this category. Traditional religion, Christian.