Wa, Parauk

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A language of Myanmar

ISO 639-3
prk
Alternate Names
Baraog, Phalok, Praok, Standard Wa, Wa
User Population

400,000 in Myanmar (2000 census). Total users in all countries: 805,700.

Location

Shan state: Kengtung and upper Salween river areas; resettling since 2000 in Shan state: Mong Hsat and Mong Ton townships, especially Mong Kyut, Mong Yawn, and Pong Pa Kyin town areas.

Language Maps
Language Status

2 (Provincial). De facto provincial language in Shan state.

Classification
Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Northern Mon-Khmer, Palaungic, Eastern Palaungic, Waic, Wa
Dialects

Meung, Ien, Bible Wa, Nom Tum, Sau Hin, Panglao, Man Teu (Jo Phyu, Man Teey, Man Ton, Man Tong), Toi Lawng, Pang Yang (Muik Khaox), Khui Ma, Ying Phang (Sigang), La Dah, Ai Cheung, Ai Swa, Ang Krax, Awm Plawk, Caong Naong, Cuan, Kang Seu, Kaung Sang, Kawn Cawng, Kawn Jiem, Kawn Mau, Kawn Poih, Kawn Rao, Kawng Lang, Kha Lax, Kok Lah, La Kong, Lah Kreum, Lhax Tiah, Lung Kua, Man Leen, Man Shiang, Man Tong, Meung Kun, Meung Mao, Meung Yum, Hom, Muik Lhang, Muik Lhax, Muik Nghawng, Muik Nu, Muik Raix, Muik Sime, Nawng Plawx, Pa Tah, Pang Vai, Rho Mawng, Rok Tong, Savaik, Si Gang Rai, Si Nawk, Si Nga, Si Viex, Simung, Taoh Mie, Veng Ngeen, Vui Sai, Yaong Brex, Yaong Khrum, Yaong Krak, Yaong Kua, Yaong Leen, Yaong Lung, Yaong Nong, Yaong O, Yaong Peng, Yaong Raok, Yaong Riex, Yaong Sang, Yaong Soi, Yaong Ting. Over 70 varieties of Wa in Myanmar; 300 varieties in China (2006 Institute of Nationalities, Sun Hong Kai). Wa official nationality standard form in China based on Yong Shuai, one of many Parauk varieties. Bible Wa, a composite language, based on the Yong Shuai, Yong Rauk, Mang Toei, and Toilawng varieties, forms the standard for Myanmar.

Typology

SVO and VSO; prepositions; noun heads initial; no case-marking; 3 numbers (singular, dual, plural); classifiers; 35 consonant and 9 vowel phonemes, 15 diphthongs and 2 triphthongs.

Language Use

Vigorous. Females in rural areas tend to be monolingual in local Parauk varieties. Males tend to be more bilingual. All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Burmese [mya]. Also use Lahu [lhu]. Also use Mandarin Chinese [cmn]. Also use Rumai Palaung [rbb]. Also use Shan [shn].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 8% in Burmese [mya] (mostly males), 5% in Chinese in border areas (mostly males); 2% in Shan [shn] (males). Literacy classes. Literature. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 2006–2012. Agency: Wa Language and Culture Committee.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Wa, Parauk
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Buddhist, Christian.

Also spoken in:

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