Riang Lai
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A language of Myanmar
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
Ban Roi, Liang Sek, Ranei, Red Riang, Riang Saek, Riang Sak, Striped Karen, Yang, Yang Lai, Yin Kya, Yinchia, Yinja
Population
12,000 (2008), decreasing.
Location
Shan state: Langkho district.
Language Maps
Language Status
6b (Threatened).
Dialects
None known. Related to Riang Lang [ril]. Traditionally, the two groups occupy different social and geographic space, and wear different traditional clothing styles. Not related to the Riang [ria] and Kok Borok [trp]-speaking Riang people of India and Bangladesh or to Pa’o [blk], which is Sino-Tibetan.
Typology
SVO.
Language Use
Language Resources
Writing
Unwritten [Qaax].
Related to Riang Lang [ril]. Included in official ethnic group list as Yin Kya. Called Karen (‘yin’ and ‘yang’) by the Burmese [mya] and Shan [shn] due to their dress. Yinchia or Yin Kya means Striped (tiger) Karen in Burmese. Buddhist, traditional religion.