Khmuic languages

Khmuic
Geographic distribution:	Indochina
Linguistic classification:	Austroasiatic Khmuic
Subdivisions:	—
Ethnologue code:	17-1749

The Khmuic languages are a branch of the Austroasiatic languages. Khmu is the only language in the group that has a large number of speakers.

Languages

The Khmuic languages are:

• Khao, Bit, Mlabri (Yumbri), Khang (Mang U’), Phong (Kniang, Tay Phong), Puoc (Puok, Pou Hok, Khsing-Mul), Khmu’, Khuen, O’du, Lua’ (Pray), Mal (Thin), Phray (Pray), Phai (Pray, Theen, Kha Sam Liam)

There is some disagreement over whether Bit is Khmuic or Palaungic; Svantesson believes it is most likely Palaungic, and it is sometimes placed in Mangic, but most classifications here take them as Khmuic. Similarly, Phuoc (Xinh Mul) and Khang are also sometimes classified as Mangic.

The recently discovered Bumang language is also like a Khmuic language. Jerold A. Edmondson considers it to be most closely related to Khang.

Classification

The interrelationships of these languages are uncertain. Ethnologue 16 classifies them as follows:

• Khmuic
  • Khao: Khao, Bit
  • Mlabri: Mlabri
  • Xinh Mul: Khang, Phong-Kniang, Puoc
  • Mal–Khmu’
    • Khmu’, Khuen, O’du
    • Mal–Phrai: Lua’, Mal, Phray, Phai

A provisional classification at SEALang keeps Mal–Phrai, but connects Khao with Khang instead of with Bit, treats Khuen as a dialect of Khmu':

• Khmuic
  • Bit
  • Khao–Khang: Khao, Khang
  • Mlabri
  • Phong
  • Puoc
  • Khmu’
  • O’du
  • Mal–Phrai: Lua’, Mal, Phray, Phai

Diffloth & Proschan (1989)

Chazée (1999), citing Diffloth & Proschan (1989), has the following:

• 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)

Peiros (2004)

Ilia Peiros (Peiros 2004:39) has the following:

• 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