Mulam

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A language of China

ISO 639-3
mlm
Alternate Names
Abo, Kyam, Molao, Mulao, Mulao Miao, Muliao, Mulou
Population

86,000 (2005 GXLOUS). Fewer than 10,000 monolinguals (including women and preschool children). Ethnic population: 210,000 (2000 census).

Location

North central Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Hechi prefecture, Luocheng Mulao autonomous county (90% in Dongmen and Siba communes), also Yizhou county.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Tai-Kadai, Kam-Tai, Kam-Sui
Dialects

Similar to Southern Dong [kmc]. Lexical similarity: 65% with Dong (probably Southern Dong [kmc]).

Typology

SVO; reduplication; aspirated, palatalized, labialized, voiceless nasal, lateral onsets; nasal and stop finals; many Chinese loans; 6 tone categories in unchecked syllables, 2 in checked (split into 4 according to vowel length)

Language Use

Vigorous. Most domains, Daoist and Buddhist services. 87% speak Mulam at home; 57% speak it outside the home. 82% speak Mulam to their children. (2005 GXLOUS). Mainly older adults. Positive attitudes. Written Chinese in common use. Also use various Chinese varieties or a Northern Zhuang language.

Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 94% (2000 census, Mulao nationality). Taught in primary schools. Radio programs.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Mulam
Other Comments

Officially classified within Mulao (Mulam) nationality. They live near the Han [haa], Dong [doc], Hmong Njua [hnj], and Iu Mien [ium]. They call themselves Mulam. Some around Luocheng call themselves Kyam. Different from the nearly extinct Western Kra Tai-Kadai language also called Mulao [giu], previously spoken by Gelao nationality people in Guizhou. Traditional religion, Daoist, Buddhist.