Achang

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A language of China

ISO 639-3
acn
Alternate Names
Acang, Ach’ang, Achung, Ahchan, Atsang, Maingtha, Mönghsa, Ngacang, Ngac’ang, Ngachang, Ngatsang, Ngo Chang, Ngochang, Xiandao
Population

27,700 in China (1990 census). Population total all countries: 62,700. Ethnic population: 34,000 (2000 census).

Location

Western Yunnan Province, Dehong Dai-Jingpo autonomous prefecture and Baoshan district, along the Myanmar border, Longchuan, Liangge, Yingjiang, and Luxi counties; Baoshan prefecture, Tengchong and Longling counties; Dali Bai autonomous prefecture, Yunlong county. Also in Myanmar.

Language Maps
Language Status

7 (Shifting).

Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Ngwi-Burmese, Burmish, Northern
Dialects

Husa (Chintaw, Xiandao), Lianghe, Longchuan, Luxi. Each of the 3 main counties has a distinctive dialect (Statistical Bureau of Yunnan Province 2004). No reported intelligibility between dialects. Longchuan differs more from the others, with more Dai loanwords. Lianghe and Luxi use many Chinese loanwords. There are also Burmese [mya] loanwords. Related to Hpon [hpo], Maru [mhx], Lashi [lsi], Zaiwa [atb].

Typology

SOV; tonal, 4 tones

Language Use

Longchuan dialect is stable, but other dialect speakers are shifting to Chinese. Many Han people in Longchuan County use Achang in informal situations. All domains. Mainly adults. Also use Chinese [zho], Jingpho [kac] or Tai Nua [tdd].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 86% (2000 census). Bible: 2011.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Achang
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Officially classified within Achang nationality in China. Mingled with Lashi [lsi]. Traditional religion, Buddhist (Hinayana).

Also spoken in:

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