Moken

A language of Myanmar

Basing, Chau Ko’, Lawta, Mawken, Orang Laut, Salon, Salong, Selong, Selung

User Population

4,000 in Myanmar (Bradley 2007a). Total users in all countries: 6,000.

Location

Tanintharyi region: widespread in Mergui archipelago islands.

Language Maps

6b (Threatened).

Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Moklen

Dialects

Dung, Jait (Ja-It), Lebi (L’be), Niawi. Reportedly most similar to Moklen [mkm].

Typology

SVO; noun head initial; classifier; 22 consonants and 25 vowels (long and short vowels, tense and lax back vowels); tonal; stress on the final syllable; inclusive/exclusive pronouns.

Language Use

Some young people, all adults. Also use Burmese [mya].

Language Development

Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. NT: 2000.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Moken

Writing

Myanmar (Burmese) script [Mymr]. Thai script [Thai].

Other Comments

Primarily live on boats, but occasionally settle on area islands. Traditional religion, Christian.

Also spoken in:

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Thailand

Language NameMoken

User Population

2,000 in Thailand (Bradley 2007a).

Location

Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket (southernmost tip), and Krabi provinces: southwest coast, offshore islands, Andaman Sea and Straits of Malacca.

Alternate Names

Basing, Chau Ko’, Mawken, Salon, Salong, Selong, Selung

Dialects

Kòʔ Surin (Northern Jadiak), Rawai (Southern Jadiak). Reportedly most similar to Moklen [mkm].

Language Status

6b* (Threatened).

Language Use

Not spoken by youth in one Jadiak village (Bradley 2007a). Also use Burmese [mya]. Also use Thai [tha].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 10%–30% in Thai [tha]. Various literacy materials in Karen, Burmese, Roman and Thai scripts (Bradley 2007a). Most adults are illiterate.

Other Comments

Primarily live on boats, but occasionally settle on area islands. Traditional religion, Muslim.

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Moken

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A language of Myanmar

Also spoken in:

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