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Ethnologue > Web version > Country index > Asia > China > Achang

Achang

A language of China

ISO 639-3: acn

Population  27,700 in China (1990 census). Population total all countries: 62,700. Ethnic population: 33,936 (2000 census).
Region  Dehong Dai-Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture and Baoshan District, western Yunnan Province, along the Myanmar border, Longchuan, Liangge, and Luxi counties; Baoshan Prefecture, Tengchong and Longling counties; Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunlong County. Also in Myanmar.
Language map  Southwestern China
Alternate names   Acang, Ach’ang, Achung, Ahchan, Atsang, Maingtha, Mönghsa, Ngac’ang, Ngacang, Ngachang, Ngatsang, Ngo Chang, Ngochang
Dialects  Longchuan, Lianghe, Luxi. Each of the 3 main counties has a distinctive dialect. Dialects reportedly not mutually inherently intelligible. Longchuan differs more from the others, with more Dai loanwords. Lianghe and Luxi use many Chinese loanwords. There are also Burmese loanwords. Related to Hpon [hpo], Maru [mhx], Lashi [lsi], Zaiwa [atb].
Classification  Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Lolo-Burmese, Burmish, Northern
Language use  Longchuan dialect is stable, but other dialect speakers are shifting to Chinese. Many Han people in Longchuan County use Achang in informal situations. All domains. Mainly adults. Also use Chinese or Tai Nua [tdd].
Language development  Literacy rate in L2: 39%. NT: 1992–2005.
Writing system  Latin script.
Comments  Classified as Achang nationality in China. Mingled with Lashi [lsi]. SOV; tonal, 4 tones. Agriculturalists: rice; craftsmen; transportation; metal workers. Polytheist, Buddhist (Hinayana).

Also spoken in:

Myanmar

Language name   Achang
Population  35,000 in Myanmar (2007).
Region  Waimaw and Japhwi townships, east of Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy) River near Bhamo (locally known as Manmaw), scattered among the Lashi [lsi]; Kachin state, China border.
Alternate names  Acang, Anchan, Atsang, Chung, Mönghsa, Ngac’ang, Ngachang, Ngochang, Tai Sa’
Dialects  Maingtha.
Language use  Also used by Tai Sa blacksmiths among northern Shan.
Language development  Literacy rate in L1: Below 1%. Literacy rate in L2: 5%–15%.
Comments  Their own name is ‘Ngochang’, the Burmese name ‘Maingtha’, the Chinese name ‘Achang’. Not a literary language. Polytheist, Buddhist (Hinayana), Christian.