Prai
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A language of Thailand
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
Lao Prai, Lua Prai, Lua’, Phai, Pray, Thin, “Htin” (pej.)
Population
20,000 (2001). Possibly 3,000 Ban Wen dialect speakers. Total users in all countries: 48,700.
Location
Nan province: Bo Klua, Chalerm Prakiat, Chiang Klang, Pua and Thung Chang districts.
Language Maps
Language Status
6a (Vigorous).
Dialects
Southern Prai, Ban Wen. The main dialect of Prai has 2 subvarieties referred to as, R and Y, which are reportedly minimally different. Ban Wen dialect shares cognates with both Mal [mlf] and Prai, but is unintelligible to Mal speakers.
Language Use
All ages. Most also use Northern Thai [nod].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 25%–50%. Literacy materials include a set of primers and lessons. Dictionary. Bible portions: 1987–2013.
Language Resources
Writing
Thai script [Thai].
Distinct from Mal [mlf]. Lua is a self-reported language name for many Prai and Mal [mlf]. The southern dialect is called Longhouse (Jordan-Diller and Diller 2004). About 12 villages, mostly in Bo Klua district, with a few villages in Pua district. Ban Wen dialect speakers live in 10–15 villages, primarily in Bo Klua district, with some in Chalerm Prakiat district. Traditional religion, Buddhist.