Chin, Daai

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A language of Myanmar

ISO 639-3
dao
Alternate Names
Dai, Khyo, Kkhyou
Population

37,000 (2010).

Location

Chin State, Matupi, Paletwa, Kanpetlet, and Mindat townships, 142 villages.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Sal, Kuki-Chin-Naga, Kuki-Chin, Southern
Dialects

Kanpetlet Daai (Nghngilo/Yang, Yindu), Matupi Daai (Ma-Tu, Shiip), Mindat Daai (Duk-Msang, Kheng, Mkui), Paletwa Daai (Ngxang, Vet, Yet). Intelligibility among Nghngilo (Yang), Yindu, and Mkui subgroups is high, but is lower among other subgroups. Lexical similarity: more than 90% with Yindu, Yang, Mkui, Duk, and Msang Daai, 81%–88% with Ngxang Daai (Paletwa Township) and Kheng Daai, 80% with Shiip Daai (Matupi Township), 91%–94% with Ng-Gha (part of Müün [mwq]), and 81%–87% with Müün.

Typology

SOV; negation is marked before the verb

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use Burmese [mya] or Müün [mwq].

Language Development
Grammar. NT: 1996.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Chin, Daai
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Ethnic autonym: Khyo. The name Nghmoye is used by both Yang and Yindu to refer to each other. Matupi Daai may be a separate language. Official ethnic group: Dai (Yindu). Christian.