Wa, Parauk

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A language of Myanmar

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.

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China

Language NameWa, Parauk

User Population

399,000 in China (2008 P. Hopple). Speaker population based on 2000 census.

Location

Southwest Yunnan Province, Lincang prefecture, Cangyuan Va autonomous, Shuangjiang Lahu, Blang, Dai autonomous, Gengma Dai, and Yongde counties; Simao prefecture, Lancang Lahu autonomous county; Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture, Menghai county, Mengman district.

Alternate Names

Barao, Baraog, Baraoke, Baroke, Buliu, Bulu, Burao, Phalok, Praok, Wa

Dialects

Aishuai, Banhong, Dazhai, Alwa. Lexical similarity: 67% with Awa [vwa], 59% with Vo Wa [wbm] (Shearer and Sun 2017).

Language Status

5 (Dispersed). Language of recognized nationality: Blang. Around 10,000 Parauk speakers are classified as being within Blang nationality. Language of recognized nationality: Wa. The vast majority of speakers are assigned to the Wa nationality.

Language Use

Used by all. Also use Mandarin Chinese [cmn].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 76% in any language for Va nationality (to which some Parauk speakers belong) (2000 census).

Other Comments

Buddhist, Christian.

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Thailand

Language NameWa, Parauk

User Population

6,700 in Thailand (2008 P. Hopple).

Location

Scattered; probably north, northwest.

Language Status

5 (Dispersed).

Language Use

Used by all.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Wa, Parauk

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A language of Myanmar

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