Mpi

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A language of Thailand

ISO 639-3
mpz
Alternate Names
Kaw
Population

900 (Nahhas 2005), decreasing. Ethnic population: 1,500 (Nahhas 2005).

Location

North, Phrae Province, Ban Dong east of provincial capital; Nan Province, Ban Sakoen, east of Phayao Province border. 2 villages.

Language Maps
Language Status

7 (Shifting).

Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Ngwi-Burmese, Ngwi, Southern
Dialects

Ban Dong, Ban Sakoen. Ban Dong and Ban Sakoen Mpi are mutually intelligible (based on self-report of Ban Dong and Ban Sakoen residents). Lexical similarity: 86% between Ban Dong and Ban Sakoen dialects.

Typology

SOV

Language Use

Children not speaking the language much. In one village only very old people spoke the language and in the other it was reported that only people over 40 spoke the language. Also use Northern Thai [nod] or Central Thai [tha].

Language Development
Dictionary. Grammar.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Mpi
Writing
Thai script.
Other Comments

Kaw is used in Ban Sakoen. Possibly some in China who refer to their language as Pu Kaw. Buddhist.