Jingpho

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A language of Myanmar

ISO 639-3
kac
Alternate Names
Chingpaw, Chingp’o, Jinghpaw, Kachin
Population

900,000 in Myanmar (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). Very few monolinguals. Population total all countries: 940,000.

Location

Kachin State; northwest Shan State. Also in China.

Language Maps
Language Status

3 (Wider communication).

Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Sal, Jingpho-Luish, Jingpho
Dialects

Dulong, Dzili (Jili), Hkaku (Hka-Hku), Kauri (Gauri, Hkauri). Dzili may be a separate language. 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

Lingua franca for Zaiwa [atb], Lashi [lsi], and Lhao Vo [mhx]. Most domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use Burmese [mya].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 60%–100%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75%. Some community literacy classes. Newspapers. Radio programs. Films. Dictionary. Bible: 1927–2009.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Jingpho
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Kachin refers to a cultural, not linguistic, group. Glossonym: Aphu or Phu by Rawang [raw] people. Christian.

Also spoken in:

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