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Ethnologue > Web version > Country index > Asia > China > Lahu Shi

Lahu Shi

A language of China

ISO 639-3: lhi

Population	117,000 in China (Bradley 2007), increasing. Population total all countries: 196,200. Ethnic population: 120,000.
Region	South Yunnan Province, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Menghai District, Menghai County (Menghai Township); Simao Prefecture, Lancang Lahu Autonomous County, Nuofu District, other areas. Also in Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, United States.
Language map	Southwestern China
Alternate names	Kur, Kwi, Lahu Xi, Shi, Yellow Lahu
Dialects	Banlan, Bakeo. Most similar to Lahu [lhu].
Classification	Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Burmic, Ngwi, Central
Language use	Vigorous. All domains. All ages. Neutral attitude. Also use Chinese [cmn] or Lahu [lhu].
Writing system	Latin script.
Comments	Classified as Lahu nationality.

Also spoken in:

Laos

Language name	Lahu Shi
Population	3,000 in Laos (2007).
Region	Bokeo Province, Kentung District.
Comments	Traditional religion.

Myanmar

Language name	Lahu Shi
Population	60,000 in Myanmar (2007).
Region	Kentung District.

Thailand

Language name	Lahu Shi
Population	15,000 in Thailand (2007).
Region	Refugee camps near Laos border; formerly in Chiang Kham camp, but now in camps near Pua, Nan, or elsewhere.
Language map	Northern Thailand, reference number 17
Language development	Literacy rate in L1: Below 1%. Literacy rate in L2: 5%–15%.
Comments	Distinct from Kuy [kdt], which is Mon-Khmer.

Entries from the SIL Bibliography about this language:

Academic Publications

COOPER, Arthur D., author. 1999. An acoustic phonetic analysis of the vowels and tones of Lahu Shi Balan.

COOPER, Arthur D., author. 2002. "The Lahu Shi people."  

COOPER, Arthur D.; COOPER, Pam, authors. 1996. A preliminary phonology of the Banlan dialect of Lahu Shi.

TU-SIL-LRDP Committee, editor. 2002. Minority language orthography in Thailand: five case studies: in honor of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the auspicious occasion of his Sixth Cycle Birthday.