Hmong Daw

A language of China

ISO 639-3

Alternate Names

Bai Miao, Banded Arm Hmong, Forest Miao, Hmong Dao, Hmong Dleu, Hmong Qua Mpa, Hmong Rongd, Meo Do, Meo Kao, Mong Do, Mong Trang, Pe Miao, Peh Miao, Striped Arm Hmong, Striped Hmong, White Hmong, White Lum, White Meo, White Miao

Autonym

Hmongb Dleub, Hmoob Dawb

Population

233,000 in China (2004). Ethnic population: All Hmong in China: 8,950,000 (2000 census). Total users in all countries: 1,700,400.

Location

Guangxi province: northwest; Guizhou province: south and southwest; Yunnan province: southeast and southwest.

Language Maps

Southwestern China

Laos

Northern Thailand

Northwestern Viet Nam

Language Status

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

Classification

Hmong-Mien, Hmongic, Chuanqiandian

Dialects

None known. Hmong Daw and Hmong Njua [hnj] are largely mutually intelligible, but there are sufficient sociolinguistic, phonological, and lexical differences to require separate literature. A member of macrolanguage Hmong [hmn].

Typology

Tonal, 7 tones.

Language Use

Used by all. Also use Mandarin Chinese [cmn].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 42% in Mandarin Chinese [cmn]. Radio. Dictionary. Bible: 1997–2011.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Hmong Daw

Writing

Lao script [Laoo]. Latin script [Latn], used since 1953, primary usage. Miao (Pollard) script [Plrd], no longer in use, used in China. Pahawh Hmong script [Hmng], used since 1959. Thai script [Thai], used in Thailand.

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian.

Also spoken in:

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Laos

Language nameHmong Daw

Population Full

170,000 in Laos (1995 census).

Location

Widespread in the north.

Alternate Names

Bai Miao, Hmong Der, Hmoob Dawb, White Hmong, White Lum, White Miao, “Meo Kao” (pej.), “White Meo” (pej.)

Dialects

Hmong Gu Mba (Hmong Qua Mba, Striped Hmong).

Status

5* (Developing).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Co-extensive with Hmong Njua [hnj]. Traditional religion.

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Thailand

Language nameHmong Daw

Population Full

32,400 in Thailand (2000).

Location

Phetchabun, Tak, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Nan, Chiang Rai, Phitsanulok, Loei, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Phrae, Phayao, Uttaradit, and Lampang provinces.

Alternate Names

Bai Miao, Chuan Miao, Hmong Der, Hmoob Dawb, Pe Miao, Peh Miao, White Hmong, White Lum, White Miao, “Meo Kao” (pej.), “White Meo” (pej.)

Dialects

Hmong Gu Mba (Hmong Qua Mba, Miao Lai, Striped Hmong), Petchabun Miao.

Status

5* (Developing).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Mlabri [mra].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Traditional religion, Christian.

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Viet Nam

Language nameHmong Daw

Population Full

1,070,000 in Viet Nam (2009 census). Based on ethnicity.

Location

North, Son La, Dien Bien, Lao Cai, and Lai Chau provinces; others resettled in south.

Alternate Names

Bai Miao, Meo Kao, Mán Tráng, White Lum, White Meo

Dialects

Hmong Xi (Meo Do).

Status

5* (Developing). Language of recognized ethnic group: Hmong.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Part of the H’mông official ethnic community. Largely intelligible with Hmong Njua [hnj]. No significant difference between White and Striped (Thailand) Hmong. Traditional religion, Christian.

View other languages of Viet Nam

Ethnologue

Hmong Daw

Primary tabs

A language of China

Also spoken in:

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