Blang language

Last updated
Blang
Pulang
Region China, Burma
Ethnicity Blang
Native speakers
(68,000 cited 1994–2000) [1]
Dialects
  • Phang
  • Kem Degne
Language codes
ISO 639-3 Either:
blr   Blang
stu   Samtao
stu Samtao
Glottolog blan1242   Blang
samt1238   Samtao
Linguasphere 46-DBA-c

Blang (Pulang) is the language of the Blang people of China and Myanmar.

Contents

Tonal Language: Blang is a tonal language, meaning that the pitch or intonation used when pronouncing a word can change its meaning. This is a common feature in many Southeast Asian languages.

Consonant Clusters: Unlike many other languages in the region, Blang has complex consonant clusters, which can make it challenging for non-native speakers to learn.

Lack of a Standard Script: Traditionally, Blang did not have a written form. Recently, efforts have been made to develop a writing system using the Latin alphabet, but it is not yet standardized.

Oral Tradition: Due to the lack of a traditional writing system, the Blang people have a strong oral tradition, with stories, history, and cultural knowledge passed down verbally through generations.

Language Endangerment: Blang is considered an endangered language, with many younger Blang people shifting to dominant languages like Mandarin Chinese or Burmese.

Revitalization Efforts: There are ongoing efforts to revitalize the Blang language, including educational programs and cultural initiatives aimed at preserving and promoting the language among younger generations.

Dialects

Samtao of Myanmar is a dialect of Blang language. [2]

In Yunnan province of China, Blang dialects include the following: [3]

Phonology

Source: [6]

Blang consonants
Labial Alveolar Palatal Velar Glottal
Nasal voiced m n ɲ ŋ
voiceless ɲ̊
Stop plain p t c k ʔ
aspirated
Fricative f s h
Approximant voiced w l j
voiceless
Trill r
Blang vowels
Front Back
unroundedrounded
plainbreathyplainbreathyplainbreathy
Close i ɯ ɯ̤ u
Close-mid e o
Open-mid ɔ ɔ̤
Open a

Blang also has two tones - high and low.

See also

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References

  1. Blang at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
    Samtao at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
  2. "Mon-Khmer Classification (Draft)". Archived from the original on 2018-09-22. Retrieved 2012-04-22.
  3. Li, Nie & Qiu (1986)
  4. "Měnghǎi Xiàn Bùlǎngshān Xiāng Měngáng Cūnwěihuì Xīnmàné Zìráncūn" 勐海县布朗山乡勐昂村委会新曼峨自然村 [Xinman'e Natural Village, Mengang Village Committee, Bulangshan Township, Menghai County]. ynszxc.gov.cn (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2013-03-07.
  5. "Měnghǎi Xiàn Měngmǎn Zhèn Guānshuāng Cūnwěihuì Guānshuāng" 勐海县勐满镇关双村委会关双 [Guanshuang, Guanshuang Village Committee, Mengman Town, Menghai County]. ynszxc.gov.cn (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2013-03-07.
  6. Block, Karen Louise. 1994. Discourse Grammar of First Person Narrative in Plang. (MA thesis, University of Texas at Arlington).

Sources