cuu ISO 639
Tai Ya
Visualizations
A language of China
- ISO 639
- cuu
- Alternate Names
- Cung, Daiya, Huayao Dai, Multi-colored Waistband Tai, Tai Cung, Tai-Chung, Tai-Cung, Ya, Yuanxin Hongjin Dai
- Population
- 50,000 in China (2000 census). Ethnic population: 50,000 (2000 census). Based on county level Dai populations. Total users in all countries: 50,400.
- Location
- Yunnan province: Honghe Hani and Yi autonomous prefectures, Honghe and Yuanyang counties; Yuxi prefecture, Xinping Yi-Dai autonomous county, Mosha district; Dai, Yi, and Yuanjiang Hani autonomous counties.
- Language Maps
- Northern Thailand, Southwestern China
- Language Status
- 6a (Vigorous). Language of recognized nationality: Dai.
- Classification
- Kra-Dai, Kam-Tai, Tai, Southwestern
- Dialects
- Tai Ya, Tai Sai (Dai Sai), Tai Kha (Dai Ka), Tai Chung (Cung, Dai Zhong). Dialects mutually intelligible, though speakers of the latter 3 may understand Tai Ya dialect (the largest) more easily than speakers of Tai Ya understand the other 3 dialects. Some linguists have analyzed Tai Ya as most similar to Tai Nüa [tdd], others have grouped Tai Ya with other non-Buddhist Southwestern Tai groups. Tai Ya is probably not easily intelligible with other varieties of Tai.
- Typology
- SVO; tonal, 6 tone categories in unchecked syllables, 2 (split into 4 according to vowel length) in checked syllables; nasal and stop finals.
- Language Use
- Most domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes.
- Language Development
- Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible portions: 1922.
- Writing
- Tai Tham (Lanna) script [Lana], no longer in use.
- Other Comments
- Called Daiya or Huayao Dai (Multi-colored Waistband Dai) in China. Traditional religion, Christian.
- Language Resources
- OLAC resources in and about Tai Ya
Also Spoken in
- Location
- Chiang Rai province: Mae Chan district, Mae Rai sub-district, Ban Pa Sak Khwang; Mae Sai district, Huay Khrai sub-district, Ban Nam Bor Khaw and Ban Pa Sak Khwang; Mueang Chiang Rai district.
- Language Status
- 6b (Threatened)
- Language Use
- Weak. Home; mostly older people; occasionally with spouses and children. Some young people, all adults. Neutral attitudes. Most also use Northern Thai [nod] (Dawkins and Kirkland 2008). Also use Thai [tha].
- Language Development
- Literacy rate in L2: High rate in Thai [tha].
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. Some desire to preserve Tai Ya language. Christian. View other languages of Thailand
Language Name
Tai Ya
User Population
400 in Thailand (Dawkins and Kirkland 2008), decreasing. Ethnic population: 1,000 (Dawkins and Kirkland 2008).
