Thai, Northeastern
PrintA language of Thailand
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
Isaan, Isan, Issan, Thai Isaan
Population
15,000,000 (1983 SIL). At least 1,000,000 in Bangkok. Kalerng has a few thousand speakers (1990 A. Diller).
Location
Northeast; 17 provinces. Kalerng subdialect: Sakon Nakhon and Nakhon Phanom.
Language Maps
Language Status
6a (Vigorous). De facto language of provincial identity in east, northeast provinces.
Classification
Dialects
Central Isan (Kalerng, Kaleung, Kaloeng), Korat, Northern Isan, Southern Isan. Korat dialect is quite different, and may be a separate language.
Typology
SVO
Language Use
88% use Isan dialect in the home, 1% use Central Thai, 11% use both.
Language Resources
Writing
Thai script.
Buddhist.