Tampuan

A language of Cambodia

ISO 639-3

Alternate Names

Campuon, Kha Tampuon, Proon, Proons, Tamphuan, Tampuen, Tampuon

Population

31,000 in Cambodia (2008 census).

Location

Northeast border area, Central Ratanakiri Province, south of Brao, west of Jarai. Also in Laos.

Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification

Dialects

Related to Bahnar [bdq], but geographically separated.

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains. All ages. Some also use Central Khmer [khm] or Lao [lao].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 5%. Literacy rate in L2: 10%. Taught in primary schools. Pilot formal education programme begun in 3 elementary schools in 2003.

Language Resources

Writing

Khmer script.

Other Comments

Exogamous clans, together with Kaco’ and Jarai, override ethnic and linguistic boundaries.