Khün

A language of Myanmar

Gon Shan, Hkun, Kengtung Dai, Khuen, Khun Shan, Khyn, Tai Khün, Tai-Khuen

User Population

100,000 in Myanmar (Diller and Juntanamalaga 1990). Total users in all countries: 106,880.

Location

Shan state: Kentung valley area east.

Language Maps

Eastern Central Myanmar

Northern Thailand

Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification

Kra-Dai, Kam-Tai, Tai, Southwestern

Dialects

Muang Lang, Kang Muang. Khün, Northern Thai [nod] and Lü [khb] traditionally all use the same ancient script. Lexical similarity: 93%–100% with Khün varieties; Khün varieties: 90%–95% with Northern Thai [nod], 92%–95% with Lü [khb], 93%–97% with Shan [shn], 80%–83% with standard Thai [tha].

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Burmese [mya]. Also use Shan [shn]. Used as L2 by Lü [khb].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 95% among males; 50% among females. Promoted through monastery education. Dictionary. Texts. Bible portions: 1938.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Khün

Writing

Tai Tham (Lanna) script [Lana].

Other Comments

Different from Khuen [khf], a Mon-Khmer language of Laos. Buddhist.