Thai, Northeastern

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A language of Thailand

ISO 639-3
tts
Alternate Names
Esarn, Isaan, Isan, Issan, Thai Isaan
Population

15,000,000 (1983 SIL). At least 1,000,000 in Bangkok. Kalerng has a few thousand speakers (1990 A. Diller).

Location

Widespread in northeast Thailand; Kalerng subdialect: Sakon Nakhon and Nakhon Phanom.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous). De facto language of provincial identity in east, northeast provinces.

Classification
Tai-Kadai, Kam-Tai, Tai, Southwestern
Dialects

Central Isan (Kalerng, Kaleung, Kaloeng), Korat, Northern Isan, Southern Isan. Korat dialect is quite different, and may be a separate language.

Typology

SVO.

Language Use

88% use Isan dialect in the home, 1% use Central Thai, 11% use both. Used as L2 by Kuy [kdt], Northern Khmer [kxm], Nyaw [nyw], Phu Thai [pht], Yoy [yoy].

Language Development
Dictionary.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Thai, Northeastern
Writing

Thai script [Thai].

Other Comments

Buddhist.