Palaung, Rumai

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A language of Myanmar

ISO 639-3

rbb

Alternate Names

Humai, Ngwe Palaung, Rumai, Rumai Humai, Shan Rumai, Silver Palaung, Ta’ang, Ta’ang Rumai, Tai Rumai

Population

158,000 in Myanmar (Leclerc 2017d). Total users in all countries: 162,100.

Location

Kachin state: Bhamo district, Mansi township; Shan state: Lashio area, north to the border in Mantong, Muse, Nam Kham, north Hsenwi, and Tawngpeng (the ancient Palaung state).

Language Maps

Southwestern China

Eastern Central Myanmar

Northern Myanmar

Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification

Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Northern Mon-Khmer, Palaungic, Western Palaungic, Palaung

Dialects

Nam Kham Rumai is a different dialect from Lashio Rumai but comprehension is still good.

Typology

SVO.

Language Use

Vigorous. Home, village, market. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Burmese [mya], Jingpho [kac], Mandarin Chinese [cmn], Nepali [npi], Ruching Palaung [pce], Shan [shn]. Used as L2 by Parauk Wa [prk].

Language Development

Dictionary. Grammar.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Palaung, Rumai

Writing

Myanmar (Burmese) script [Mymr].

Other Comments

Buddhist, traditional religion.

Also spoken in:

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China

Language namePalaung, Rumai

Population Full

4,100 in China (2010 census).

Location

Yunnan province: Dehong prefecture, Longchuan and Ruili counties, on Myanmar border.

Alternate Names

Humai, Rumai, Ta’ang

Status

6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality: De’ang.

Language Use

Some young people, all adults. Also use Mandarin Chinese [cmn].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 79% in any language for Deang nationality (to which Palaung speakers belong) (2000 census).

Other Comments

Total De’ang nationality in China: 20,556 (2010 census).

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Ethnologue

Palaung, Rumai

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A language of Myanmar

Also spoken in:

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