Bahnar

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A language of Viet Nam

ISO 639-3
bdq
Alternate Names
Bana
Population

158,000 in Viet Nam (1999 census).

Location

Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Binh Dinh, and Phu Yen provinces, central highlands. Also in United States.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Eastern Mon-Khmer, Bahnaric, Central Bahnaric
Dialects

Alakong (A-La Cong), Bahnar Bonom (Bomam), Golar, Jolong (Gio-Lang, Y-Lang), Kontum, Krem, Tolo. Other dialects or ethnic names: Roh, Kpang Cong. Most similar to Alak [alk], Tampuan [tpu], and Lamam [lmm].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 10%–30%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75%. Radio programs. Dictionary. NT: 1977–2008.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Bahnar
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Ba Na is an official ethnic community 227,715 (2009 census) that also includes Rengao [ren]. Traditional religion, Christian.