Jarai

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A language of Viet Nam

ISO 639-3
jra
Alternate Names
Cho Rai, Chor, Chrai, Djarai, Drai, Gia Rai, Gio Rai, Mthur, Zrai
Autonym
Jơrai
User Population

514,000 in Vietnam (2019 census), based on ethnicity. Total users in all countries: 534,800.

Location

Gia Lai, Kon Tum, and Binh Dinh provinces; some in Dat Lak province.

Language Maps
Language Status

5* (Developing). Language of recognized ethnic group: Gia Rai.

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Malayo-Chamic, Chamic, Highlands
Dialects

Puan, Hodrung (Hdrung), Jhue, Aráp, Habau (Ho-Bau), To-Buan, Sesan, Chuty, Pleikly, Golar. Cambodian dialects are all very similar, all displaying some significant differences with dialects in Vietnam.

Typology

SVO; causatives; 25 consonant and 9 vowel phonemes; non-tonal; stress on final syllable.

Language Use

Also use Vietnamese [vie].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 10%–30%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75%. Radio. Dictionary. Texts. Bible: 2014.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Jarai
Writing

Khmer script [Khmr], used in Cambodia. Latin script [Latn], primary usage.

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian.

Also spoken in:

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