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Khir language
Loloish language of northern Laos From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Khir (Lao: ເຄີ /kʰɯ/, Kheu; autonym: ka55 ɯ21 or la21 ja21) is a Loloish language of northern Laos. It is closely related to Cosao.[2]
Khir is spoken in Nyot U District, Phongsaly Province, including in Kang village.[3]
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Names
The autonym is ka55 ɯ21. A less commonly used autonym, la21 ja21, is an autonym elicited in Khir Tai language.[1]
The exonym is pronounced khɯ but is officially spelled Khir (Lao: ເຄີ).[1]
Demographics
As of 2023, the ethnic Khir population is 3,200.[1]
Dialects
There are 6 dialects of Khir, all of which are mutually intelligible with each other. Each dialcet has 300 to 800 speakers.[1]
- Kang: described by Kato (2008) and is mainly spoken in Kangnamlae (formerly Kang) and Phiangsaeng Villages. 600 people.
- Khir: spoken in Khir Neua, Khir Tai, and Chompho Villages. 440 people.
- Ka: spoken in Ka and Chompho Villages. 560 people.
- Hin: mainly spoken in Hin and Palan Villages, with 5 or 6 households in Somheuang Village. 460 people.
- Paek: spoken in Paek Village. 300 people.
- Somheuang: spoken in Somheuang and Nakong Villages. 860 people.
Below is a comparison of lexical differences among each of the six Khir dialects.[1]
References
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