kac ISO 639
Jinghpo Autonyms
Jingpho
Visualizations
A language of Myanmar
- ISO 639
- kac
- Alternate Names
- Aphu, Chingp’o, Chingpaw, Jinghpaw, Jingphaw, Kachin, Phu
- Autonym
- Jinghpo
- Population
- 900,000 in Myanmar (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). Total users in all countries: 940,000.
- Location
- Kachin state: large area except north and southwest; Shan state: Lashio and Muse districts; Sagaing region: western border strip.
- Language Maps
- Eastern Central Myanmar, Northern Myanmar, Southwestern China
- Language Status
- 3 (Wider communication). Became widespread toward the end of the 19th century. L2 of smaller ethnic groups in Kachin State. Used in the justice system and education.
- Classification
- Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Sal, Jingppaw-Asakia, Jingphaw
- Dialects
- Hkaku (Hka-Hku, Hkahku), Kauri (Gauri, Guari, Hkauri), Dzili (Jili), Dulong (Dalaung, Duleng). Dzili is likely a separate language that is most likely extinct. Hkaku and Kauri are only slightly different. Lexical similarity: 50% with Singhpo [sgp] of India.
- Typology
- SOV; adjectives and numbers follow nouns; singular, dual, plural pronouns; tense-lax vowel distinction; 4 tones.
- Language Use
- Most domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Burmese [mya]. Used as L2 by Khamti [kht], Lacid [lsi], Lhao Vo [mhx], Lisu [lis], Rawang [raw], Rumai Palaung [rbb], Zaiwa [atb].
- Language Development
- Literacy rate in L1: 60%–100%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75%. Some community literacy classes. Literature. Newspapers. Radio. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 1927–2016.
- Writing
- Latin script [Latn].
- Other Comments
- Kachin refers to a cultural, not linguistic, group. Christian.
- Language Resources
- OLAC resources in and about Jingpho
Also Spoken in
- Location
- Yunnan province: Baoshan prefecture, Tengchong county; Dehong Dai-Jingpo autonomous prefecture, Longchuan, Ruili, and Yingjiang counties.
- Dialects
- Enkun (Nkhum, Nkhumka), Shidan (Satanka, Xidan), Hkaku (Hka-Hku), Kauri (Gauri, Hkauri, Kauzhika, Khauri), Mengzhi, Dzili (Jili), Dulong.
- Language Status
- 6a (Vigorous)
- Language Use
- Vigorous. All domains. Positive attitudes. Also use Lacid [lsi]. Also use Lhao Vo [mhx]. Also use Mandarin Chinese [cmn], particularly in some secondary schools. Also use Zaiwa [atb]. Used as L2 by Achang [acn], Lhaovo [mhx], Lisu [lis], Lü [khb], Ruching Palaung [pce], Zaiwa [atb].
- Language Development
- Literacy rate in L2: 84% (2000 census, Jingpho nationality). Chinese used in some secondary schools.
- Other Comments
- Kachin refers to the cultural rather than the linguistic group. Traditional religion, Buddhist, Christian. View other languages of China
Language Name
Jingpho
User Population
40,000 in China (1999 X. Xijian). 20,000 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 148,000 (2010 census). Includes Lashi [lsi], Lhaovo [mhx], Pela [bxd], and Zaiwa [atb] speakers (2010 census).
