Nyahkur
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A language of Thailand
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
Chao Dong, Chaodon, Lawa, Niakuol, Niakuoll, Nyah Kur, Nyakur, “Chaobon” (pej.), “Chaobun” (pej.), “Chaubun” (pej.)
Population
1,500 (2006 C. Shimmin), decreasing. No monolinguals. Ethnic population: 3,000 (Thongkum 1984).
Location
Bueng Kan, Chaiyaphum, Kalasin, Nakhon Ratchasima, Phetchabun, Phitsanulok, and Sakon Nakhon provinces; Possibly in Khorat province.
Language Maps
Language Status
7 (Shifting).
Classification
Dialects
Chaiyaphum users say they understand Petchabun only with difficulty, if at all. At least 91% lexical similarity among all dialects (Diffloth 1984).
Typology
SVO.
Language Use
Few children can speak Nyah Kur. Nearly extinct in Petchabun and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces (2007 SIL). Home. Mainly older adults. Mixed attitudes. Some have strong identity links to their language, others prefer to identify themselves as Thai (2002 P. Suwilai, 2007 SIL). All also use Thai [tha]. Also use Lao [lao].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 1%. Literacy rate in L2: 75%. Most men and the younger generation are literate in Thai. Literacy in Thai transfers easily to Nyah Kur. Dictionary. Bible portions: 1996.
Language Resources
Writing
Thai script [Thai].
Buddhist, Christian, traditional religion.