Khmuic languages

Khmuic
Geographic distribution:	Indochina
Linguistic classification:	Austro-Asiatic Khasi–Khmuic Palaungo-Khmuic Khmuic
Subdivisions:	Khao Mlabri Xinh Mul Khmu’

Khmuic languages are a subgroup of the Mon–Khmer languages.

• Khao: Khao, Bit (also classified as Mangic and Palaungic)
• Mlabri: Mlabri, Yumbri
• Xinh Mul: Khang (Mang U’), Phong-Kniang (Phong, Tay Phong), Puoc (Puok, Pou Hok; also classified as Mangic)
• Khmu’: Khmu’ (Kmhmy, /many41/), Khuen, O’du, Mal (Thin), Phray, Phai, Lua (Lua’, aka Pray), Theen (Kha Sam Liam)

The Khmu is the only language in the group that has a large number of speakers, while, e.g., the Mlabri language is only spoken by a few hundreds. There is some disagreement over whether the Khao branch, which is here listed as part of the Khmuic language tree, is Khmuic or Palaungic; according to linguist Svantesson, the Khao and Bit languages are best classified as Palaungic.

Classification

The following classification of the Khmuic languages is from Chazée (1999), citing Diffloth & Proschan (1989).

• Khmuic
  • (Khang?)
  • Khmu
  • Phray–Pram
    • Mlabri
    • Phay/Mal/T'in
    • (Branch)
      • Ksing Moul (Ksongmul)
      • Pramic
        • Tai Hat (Iduh)
        • Tai Then
        • Phong Laan, Phong Phène, Phong Tapouang
        • Kaniang, Phong Piat, (Phong Saloey)

Ilia Peiros, however, present a different classification (Peiros 2004:39).

• Khmuic
  • (Branch)
    • Khang
    • Bit
  • (Branch)
    • Mlabri–Pray
      • Mlabri
      • Pray
    • (Branch)
      • Kmu
      • (Branch)
        • Kxinh Mul
        • Ksinmul
      • (Branch)
        • Phong
        • Iduh

See also

• Khmu language
• Khmu people

References

• Chazée, Laurent. 1999. The Peoples of Laos: Rural and Ethnic Diversities. Bangkok: White Lotus.
• Peiros, Ilia J. 2004. Geneticeskaja klassifikacija aystroaziatskix jazykov. Moskva: Rossijskij gosudarstvennyj gumanitarnyj universitet (doktorskaja dissertacija).

External links

• Khmuic languages page from Ethnologue site