raw ISO 639
Rvwang Autonyms
Rawang
Visualizations
A language of Myanmar
- ISO 639
- raw
- Alternate Names
- Ch’opa, Chiutse, Ganung-Rawang, Kiutze, Nung, Nung Rawang, Qiuze, Rvwangka, “Hkanung” (pej.)
- Autonym
- Rvwang
- Population
- 62,000 in Myanmar (2000). Total users in all countries: 63,000.
- Location
- Kachin state: Putao district, Kawnglangphu, Machanbaw, Naungmaw, Pannandin, and Putao townships.
- Language Maps
- India, Map 5, Northern Myanmar
- Language Status
- 3 (Wider communication). Of Mongolian descent, the Rawang migrated to northern Burma in the second millennium. Became widespread in the early 1800s under British rule. Used at home, in education, farming, church, and gospel radio broadcasts.
- Classification
- Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Central Tibeto-Burman, Nungish
- Dialects
- Kyaikhu (Dangraq-Mashang, Northern Lungmi), Matwang, Daru-Jerwang, Khrangkhu-Thininglong (Southern Lungmi), Tangsar West (Langdaqgong, Renyinchi), Thaluq, Tangsar East (Changgong). Most reportedly understand Matwang, a central, written dialect. Part of a chain of related varieties with the Drung [duu] people of Nu nationality in China. Dialects near Tibet border more divergent. Lungmi varieties of Mashang and Dangraq are especially divergent. Rawang speakers from the Kunglang variety of Daru live in Arunachal Pradesh, India. Some Rawang dialects, especially Kyaikhu Lungmi and Changgong Tangsar, have less intelligibility with the standard written dialect of Matwang. Anong (Khingpang) [nun] and Drung (Thrung) [duu] are related to Rawang and are sometimes included as Rawang varieties (Morse 1989). Lexical similarity: 82%–99% among Matwang-related dialects. Lexical similarity between Matwang and the following varieties or languages: 74% with Drung [duu], 79%–80% with Anong [nun], 81%–87% with Renyinchi (Langdaqgong Tangsar), 77% with Changgong Tangsar, 74%–85% with Lungmi, 74%–80% with Daru-Jerwang.
- Typology
- SOV.
- Language Use
- Vigorous. All domains. Rawang literature used mainly in church. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Some also use Burmese [mya], especially young people. Also use Jingpho [kac]. Also use Lisu [lis]. Used as L2 by Anong [nun], Drung [duu], Lisu [lis].
- Language Development
- Literacy rate in L1: 30%–60%. Literacy rate in L2: 75%–100%. Older generation is more literate in Rawang; younger generation literacy rate in Rawang is declining. Newspapers. Periodicals. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 1986. Agency: Rawang Language and Culture Committee.
- Writing
- Latin script [Latn].
- Other Comments
- Traditionally, Rawang is made up of 5 major clan divisions (plus subclans): Lungmi, Matwang, Daru-Jerwang, Tangsar, and Anong [nun] (Morse 1989). Christian.
- Language Resources
- OLAC resources in and about Rawang
Also Spoken in
- Location
- Arunachal Pradesh state: near Myanmar and Tibet border (Kunlang).
- Dialects
- Kunlang.
- Language Status
- 6b (Threatened)
- Language Use
- Also use English [eng]. View other languages of India
Language Name
Rawang
User Population
1,000 in India (2011 SIL).
