Moken

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A language of Myanmar

ISO 639-3
mwt
Alternate Names
Basing, Chau Ko’, Lawta, Mawken, Orang Laut, Salon, Salong, Selong, Selung
Population

4,000 in Myanmar (Bradley 2007). Population total all countries: 6,000.

Location

South. Tanintharyi Region, Mergui archipelago, Dung, and other islands. Also in Thailand.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Moklen
Dialects

Dung, Jait (Ja-It), L’be. Most similar to Moklen [mkm]. Related to Urak Lawoi [urk].

Typology

SVO

Language Use

All ages. Many also use Burmese [mya], Thai [tha] or both (Bradley 2007).

Language Development
Various literacy materials in Karen, Burmese, Roman and Thai scripts (Bradley 2007). Literacy classes taught in some communities. NT: 2002.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Moken
Writing
Myanmar (Burmese) script.
Other Comments

Included in official ethnic list as Salon. Primarily live on boats, but occasionally settle on area islands. Traditional religion, Christian.

Also spoken in:

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