Tai Laing

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A language of Myanmar

ISO 639-3
tjl
Alternate Names
Red Tai, Shan Bamar, Shan Kalee, Shan Ni, Tai Laeng, Tai Lai, Tai Lang, Tai Nai, Tai Naing
Population

100,000 (2010 SIL).

Location

Kachin State, from Myitkyina to Barnaw township; Sagaing Division, Homalin township, along the Irrawaddy, Chindwin, and Uru rivers.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

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

Tai Lai, Tai Nai. Two subgroups: Those who live along the railway line between Myitkyina and Mandalay and call themselves Tai Nai; Those who live along the river south of Myitkyina who call themselves Tai Lai. However, apart from the sound shift l to n among the first group, there do not seem to be any major differences in language between these 2 subgroups. Similar to Khamti [kht].

Language Use

Shifting to Burmese [mya] in some areas.

Writing
Myanmar (Burmese) script, historical usage with some recent revival of the script.
Other Comments

The name Tai Laing means Red Tai. Buddhist.