Mon
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A language of Myanmar
743,000 in Myanmar (2004), decreasing. Ethnic population: 1,000,000 (Bradley 2007b). Total users in all countries: 851,000.
Kayin state and Mon states; Tanintharyi region: north.
5 (Developing).
Martaban-Moulmein (Central Mon, Mon Te), Pegu (Mon Tang, Northern Mon), Ye (Mon Nya, Southern Mon). Intelligibility between Mon varieties high; between Mon in Thailand and Myanmar 99% (Huffman 1976). Varieties in Myanmar and Thailand “mutually intelligible” (Bauer 1990) but lexical borrowings from Thai and Burmese may cause miscommunication (Guillon 1999). Lexical similarity: 69% with Mon and Nyah Kur [cbn] (Huffman 1976).
SVO.
Vigorous in some rural areas and in Three Pagodas border area. Low or no usage in urban centers; some language shift to Burmese. Many domains in some communities; only among the elderly, in the monastery, or not at all in other communities. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Many also use Burmese [mya].
Literacy rate in L1: Some literacy among the older generation; very low literacy rates among those under 40. Taught in some Buddhist monasteries in both Myanmar and Thailand. Some literacy efforts made on Thailand-Myanmar border. Literature. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1928.
Remnants of a nation that once spread over south Myanmar and west Thailand. Preferred names: Mon or Raman. Buddhist.