Akha

A language of China

ISO 639-3

Alternate Names

Ahka, Aini, Ak’a, Aka, Ikor, Yani, “Ekaw” (pej.), “Ikaw” (pej.), “Kaw” (pej.), “Kha Ko” (pej.), “Khako” (pej.), “Khao Kha Ko” (pej.), “Ko” (pej.)

Autonym

A˯ka˯daw˯‎ (Avkavdawv)

Population

240,000 in China (Bradley 2007b), increasing. Ethnic population: 240,000 (Bradley 2007b). Total users in all countries: 616,600.

Location

Yunnan province: Simao and Xishuangbanna prefectures.

Language Maps

Southwestern China

Laos

Eastern Central Myanmar

Northern Thailand

Northwestern Viet Nam

Language Status

5 (Developing). Language of recognized nationality: Hani.

Classification

Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Ngwi-Burmese, Ngwi, Southern

Dialects

None known. Most closely related to Hani [hni].

Typology

SOV; noun head initial; classifiers; isolating language; 32 consonants and 11 vowels; tonal (3 tones); phonation types (lax and tense).

Language Use

All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Mandarin Chinese [cmn]. Used as L2 by Akeu [aeu].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 5%. Literacy rate in L2: 70% in any language (2000 census, Hani nationality); but functional literacy is low in Mandarin [cmn]. Orthographies in fairly wide use, but not in public schools (Bradley 2007b). Taught in primary schools. Literature. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 2002.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Akha

Writing

Latin script [Latn], used at least since 1950, used in China, Myanmar, and Thailand. Myanmar (Burmese) script [Mymr], used in Myanmar. Thai script [Thai], used in Thailand.

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian.

Also spoken in:

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Laos

Language nameAkha

Population Full

113,000 in Laos (2015 census). Based on ethnicity.

Location

Phongsali and Luang Namtha provinces.

Alternate Names

Ahka, Aini, Ak’a, Aka, Ikor, Yani, “Ekaw” (pej.), “Hka Ko” (pej.), “Ikaw” (pej.), “Kaw” (pej.), “Khako” (pej.), “Khao Kha Ko” (pej.), “Ko” (pej.)

Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Chepya [ycp], Phana’ [phq].

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian.

View other languages of Laos

Myanmar

Language nameAkha

Population Full

200,000 in Myanmar (Bradley 2007a).

Location

Shan state: east Kengtung district.

Alternate Names

Ahka, Aini, Ak’a, Aka, Ikor, Yani, “Ekaw” (pej.), “Ikaw” (pej.), “Kaw” (pej.), “Kha Ko” (pej.), “Khako” (pej.), “Khao Kha Ko” (pej.), “Ko” (pej.)

Dialects

Much dialectal variation; some do not understand each other. Most similar to Hani [hni].

Status

3 (Wider communication).

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes.

Language Development

Literacy classes in some communities.

View other languages of Myanmar

Thailand

Language nameAkha

Population Full

56,600 in Thailand (Bradley 2007a).

Location

Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Mae Hong Son provinces. 250 villages.

Alternate Names

Ahka, Aini, Ak’a, Aka, Ikor, Yani, “Ekaw” (pej.), “Ikaw” (pej.), “Kaw” (pej.), “Kha Ko” (pej.), “Khako” (pej.), “Khao Kha Ko” (pej.), “Ko” (pej.)

Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Also use Lahu [lhu] (Hansson 2003), Northern Thai [nod] (Hansson 2003).

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 1%–5%. Literacy rate in L2: 1%–50%.

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian.

View other languages of Thailand

Viet Nam

Language nameAkha

Population Full

7,000 in Viet Nam (Hansson 2003). Ethnic population: Hà Nhì ethnic group 21,725 (2009 census).

Location

Dien Bien, Lao Cai, and Lai Chau provinces.

Alternate Names

Ahka, Aini, Ak’a, Aka, Khao Ikor, Yani, “Ekaw” (pej.), “Ikaw” (pej.), “Kaw” (pej.), “Kha Ko” (pej.), “Khako” (pej.), “Ko” (pej.)

Status

6b* (Threatened). Language of recognized ethnic group: Ha Nhi.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Traditional religion, Christian.

View other languages of Viet Nam

Ethnologue

Primary tabs

A language of China

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