Tày

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A language of Viet Nam

ISO 639-3
tyz
Alternate Names
Ngan, Phen, Tai Tho, “Thô” , Thu Lao, T’o
Population

1,630,000 in Viet Nam (2009 census).

Location

Central and northeast, near China border, Cao Bàng, Lang Son, Hà Giang, Tuye Quang, Bác Thái, Quang Ninh, Hà Bac, and Lam Dòng provinces; south in Tung Nghia and Song Mao. Possibly in Laos. Also in France, United States.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Tai-Kadai, Kam-Tai, Tai, Central
Dialects

Central Tày, Eastern Tày, Northern Tày, Southern Tày, Tày Bao Lac, Tày Trung Khanh, Thu Lao. Similar to Nung [nut].

Language Use

Also use Vietnamese [vie].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 1%–5%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75%. Radio programs. Dictionary. Bible portions: 1938–1963.
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Tày is an official ethnic community. Traditional religion, Christian.