Tai Nüa

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A language of China

ISO 639-3
tdd
Alternate Names
Chinese Shan, Chinese Tai, Dai Kong, Dai Na, Dai Nuea, Daide, Dehong, Dehong Dai, Tai Dehong, Tai Le, Tai Mao, Tai Neua, Tai nö, Tai Nü, Tai Nue, Tai taü, Tai-Kong, Tai-Le, Yunannese Shan, Yunnan Shant’ou
Population

540,000 in China (Zhou Yaowen and Luo Meizhen 2001). Population total all countries: 717,400. Ethnic population: 610,000 (Zhou Yaowen and Luo Meizhen 2001). 1,158,989 (1990 census), including Tai Lü, Tai Hongjin, Tai Ya, Tai Dam and Tai Dón.

Location

Southwest Yunnan Province, Dehong Dai and Jingpo autonomous prefectures, Baoshan, Simao, and Lincang municipal prefectures. Mangshi dialect: Dehong Dai and Jingpo autonomous prefectures, Luxi, Yingjiang, Lianghe, Longchuan, and Wanding counties, Baoshan municipal prefecture, Baoshan, Tengchong, Longling, and Shidian counties. Menggeng dialect: Simao municipal prefecture, Menglian Dai-Lahu-Va, Jinggu Dai-Yi, Lancang Hani, Zhenyuan Yi-Hani-Lahu, Ximeng Va, Jingdong Yi, Pu’er Hani-Yi, and Mojiang Hani autonomous counties, as well as Simao county, Baoshan municipal prefecture, Changning county, Lincang municipal prefecture, Lincang, Yongde, Zhenkang, Yun, and Fengqing counties, and Shuangjiang Lahu-Va-Blang-Dai, and Cangyuan Va autonomous counties. Also in Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam.

Language Maps
Language Status

4 (Educational).

Classification
Tai-Kadai, Kam-Tai, Tai, Southwestern
Dialects

Mangshi (Debao, Dehong, Taile), Menggeng (Taita), Tai Pong (Ka, La, Sai, Tai Ka, Ya, You), Yongren. Related to Khamti [kht].

Typology

SVO; modifiers follow heads

Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 84% literate in any language (2000 census, Dai nationality). Tai Nüa has traditional script and tradition of literacy, so percentages probably include literacy in Liek or Chinese script or both. Taught in primary and secondary schools. Dictionary. Bible portions: 1931–1948.
Writing
Tai Le script, used in the Dehong Dai and Jingpho Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China.
Other Comments

Officially classified within Dai nationality. Northern Shan-like varieties in China are referred to collectively as Tai Na, or Dehong Dai in Chinese. Buddhist (Theravada), traditional religion.

Also spoken in:

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