Laha language
Encyclopedia
Laha is a Kra language spoken by approximately 1,400 people out of a total population of 5,686 Laha
. It is spoken in Lào Cai
and Sơn La provinces, Vietnam. Laha dialects had been documented in 1986 by Russian linguists and in 1996 by American linguist Jerold A. Edmondson
. Many Laha can also converse in the Khmu language
, and Laha-speaking areas also have significant Black Thai (Tai Dam
), Kháng, Ksongmul (Ksingmul, Xinh-mun), and Hmong populations.
Ostapirat (2000) considers the Laha dialects to form a subgroup of their own (Southern Kra) within the Kra branch.
and Lai Châu
Dry Laha of Sơn La — around the Sông Đà
and Nậm Mu Rivers
Laha people
The La Ha are an ethnic group of Vietnam. Most La Ha live in the Yên Bái and Sơn La provinces, and number approximately 5,686 people . They speak the Laha language, which is part of the Tai–Kadai language family....
. It is spoken in Lào Cai
Lao Cai Province
Lào Cai , is a province of northeastern in the mountainous region of Vietnam, bordering the province of Yunnan in the China. The province covers an area of 6383.9 square kilometres and as of 2008 it had a population of 602,300 people....
and Sơn La provinces, Vietnam. Laha dialects had been documented in 1986 by Russian linguists and in 1996 by American linguist Jerold A. Edmondson
Jerold A. Edmondson
Jerold A. Edmondson is a professor of linguistics at the University of Texas at Arlington. Edmondson is a leading specialist in Tai–Kadai languages, especially the Kam–Sui branch. He was one of the researchers who discovered the En language during a linguistic field expedition in the late...
. Many Laha can also converse in the Khmu language
Khmu language
Khmu is the language of the Khmu people of the northern Laos region. It is also spoken in adjacent areas of Vietnam, Thailand and China. Khmu lends its name to the Khmuic branch of the Austro-Asiatic language family, which also includes Khmer and Vietnamese. Within Austro-Asiatic, Khmu is often...
, and Laha-speaking areas also have significant Black Thai (Tai Dam
Tai Dam
The Tai Dam or Tai Dum are an ethnic group of Laos, Vietnam, China, and Thailand.Tai Dam speakers in China are classified as part of the Dai nationality along with almost all the other Tai peoples...
), Kháng, Ksongmul (Ksingmul, Xinh-mun), and Hmong populations.
Ostapirat (2000) considers the Laha dialects to form a subgroup of their own (Southern Kra) within the Kra branch.
Geographic distribution
Wet Laha of Lào CaiLao Cai Province
Lào Cai , is a province of northeastern in the mountainous region of Vietnam, bordering the province of Yunnan in the China. The province covers an area of 6383.9 square kilometres and as of 2008 it had a population of 602,300 people....
and Lai Châu
- Tà Mít Commune, Tân UyênTân Uyên, Lai Châu ProvinceTan Uyen District is a rural district of Lai Chau Province in the Northwest region of Vietnam. It's new district and established in 2008. Its area come from southern half of Than Uyên District....
, Lai Châu, Vietnam (just north of the Black RiverBlack River (Vietnam)The Black River is a river located in China and northwestern Vietnam. Its source is in Yunnan Province of China...
) — known as the "Wet Laha" - Pha Mu Commune, Than Uyên and Nậm Cần Commune, Tân UyênTân Uyên, Lai Châu ProvinceTan Uyen District is a rural district of Lai Chau Province in the Northwest region of Vietnam. It's new district and established in 2008. Its area come from southern half of Than Uyên District....
, Lào CaiLao Cai ProvinceLào Cai , is a province of northeastern in the mountainous region of Vietnam, bordering the province of Yunnan in the China. The province covers an area of 6383.9 square kilometres and as of 2008 it had a population of 602,300 people....
Dry Laha of Sơn La — around the Sông Đà
Black River (Vietnam)
The Black River is a river located in China and northwestern Vietnam. Its source is in Yunnan Province of China...
and Nậm Mu Rivers
- Noong Lay and Nặt Ét Communes, Sơn La, Vietnam (just south of the Black RiverBlack River (Vietnam)The Black River is a river located in China and northwestern Vietnam. Its source is in Yunnan Province of China...
— known as the "Dry Laha" - Chiền Xòm, Liềp Tè, Noong Giông, and Nặm Ét in Sơn La
- Nặm Giôn, Chiền Xàng, Chiền Dong, Pi Toong, and Mường Bú of Mường La District, Sơn La Province
- Thuận Châu, Mường La, Quỳnh Nhai districts of Sơn La Province
- Bản Bung and Phù Yên near Sơn La Province on the north bank of the Black River