Lhao Vo

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A language of Myanmar

ISO 639-3
mhx
Alternate Names
Diso, Lang, Langsu, Laungaw, Laungwaw, Lawng, Lhaovo, Malu, “Maru” (pej.), Mulu, Zi
Population

100,000 in Myanmar (Bradley 1997). Very few monolinguals. Population total all countries: 103,500.

Location

Kachin State, east border area, Waimaw, Chiphwe, and Sawlaw townships, widely dispersed; north Shan State, Kutkai township. Also in China (Lhaovo).

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

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

Dago’ Lawng Bit, Gawan Naw’, Hlo’lan, Laking, Lawng Hsu, Wa Khawk, Zagaran Mran. Lawng Hsu may have difficult intelligibility with the other dialects.

Typology

SOV; tense-lax vowel distinction; loans from Jingpho [kac], Daai Chin[dao], Burmese [mya], and Chinese [cmn]; 3 tones

Language Use

Vigorous. Most domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use Jingpho [kac].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: Below 1%. Literacy rate in L2: 25%–50%. Bible: 2009.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Lhao Vo
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Different from Mru [mro] and Mro-Khimi [cmr] of northwest Rakhine State and Paletwa Township, South Chin State. Culturally similar to Kachin. Glossonym: Maru by Jingpho [kac] and Burmese [mya], Liangsu by Chinese [cmn]. Christian.

Also spoken in:

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