Tai Laing

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A language of Myanmar

ISO 639-3
tjl
Alternate Names
Red Tai, Shan Bamar, Shan Kalee, Shan Ni, Tai Laeng, Tai Lai, Tai Lang, Tai Nai, Tai Naing
User Population

100,000 (2010 SIL).

Location

Sagaing region: Homalin township, along Chindwin, Irrawaddy, and Uru rivers; Kachin state: Bamaw to Myitkyina townships.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b* (Threatened).

Classification
Kra-Dai, Kam-Tai, Tai, Southwestern
Dialects

Tai Lai, Tai Nai. 2 subgroups: Those who live along the railway line between Myitkyina and Mandalay and call themselves Tai Nai; Those who live along the river south of Myitkyina who call themselves Tai Lai. However, apart from the sound shift l to n among the first group, there do not seem to be any major differences in language between these 2 subgroups. Reportedly similar to Khamti [kht].

Language Use

Also use Burmese [mya], with some shifting is some areas. Used as L2 by Taman [tcl].

Language Development

Agency: Tai Laing Cultural and Literature Committee.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Tai Laing
Writing

Myanmar (Burmese) script [Mymr], historic usage with some recent revival of the script.

Other Comments

The name Tai Laing means Red Tai. Buddhist.