Sage-Tips

Is ISAN the same as Lao?

As an umbrella term for the Lao varieties as spoken in Northeastern Thailand, Isan remains essentially the same as the Lao language of Laos, albeit nonetheless differentiated in orthography and some minor lexical elements.

What alphabet does Lao use?

Lao script or Akson Lao (Lao: ອັກສອນລາວ [ʔáksɔ̌ːn láːw]) is the primary script used to write the Lao language and other minority languages in Laos. Its earlier form, the Tai Noi script, was also used to write the Isan language, but was replaced by the Thai script.

Are Lao and Thai mutually intelligible?

Spoken Lao is mutually intelligible with Thai and Isan, fellow Southwestern Tai languages, to such a degree that their speakers are able to effectively communicate with one another speaking their respective languages.

How old is Lao language?

Lao script dates back to the 16th century BC. It descended from Old Khmer which, in turn, evolved from the Brahmi script.

Is Lao and Thai language the same?

Lao and Thai languages are very similar to each other. In fact, the two languages are linguistically similar, though their writing script varies a bit. Thai is the native language of Thailand and is spoken in minority in Cambodia. Hence, the people in Laos are very familiar with the Thai language.

What does Isan mean in Thai?

Since the beginning of the 20th century, northeastern Thailand has been generally known as Isan, a term adopted from Sanskrit Ishan, meaning in a “north east direction”, while in official contexts the term phak tawan-ok-chiang-nuea may be used.

Do they speak English in Laos?

Just like the French language, English has dominated Laos in the past decades. The boost in the country’s tourism industry has also ensured the survival of this language. English is common and understood by many locals. Much of the population of Vientiane speaks the language.

Who created Lao language?

Lao belongs to Tai-Kadai language family. Its written form was derived from Tham script which evolved from Pali language that initiated in India. The script was brought to the region by Theravada Buddhists at the time that Buddhism was growing in popularity around two thousand years ago.

What language do they speak in Lao?

Lao
Laos/Official languages

Is Lao and Laotian the same language?

Lao language, also called Laotian, one of the Tai languages of Southeast Asia, and the official language of Laos. Lao occurs in various dialects, which differ among themselves at least as much as Lao as a group differs from the Tai dialects of northeastern Thailand.

Can Lao read Thai?

Thai and Lao languages have very similar alphabets with the majority of letters the same. In terms of letter formation Lao is a lot more rounder but still resembles Thai writing in shape. So if you can read Thai the chances are you will have a good chance of getting to grips with the Lao language pretty fast.

Is Chiang Mai an ISAN?

Isaan is in the northeastern region of Thailand. To put it into perspective, Bangkok is in Central Thailand, Chiang Mai is in Northern Thailand, and Phuket is in Southern Thailand. Off to the right is Isaan.

What alphabet is Lao written in?

Currently, Lao is written in Thailand using the Thai alphabet, if it is written at all. Isan shares most of its phonology with the Lao language, although code-switching and Standard Thai influences leads some features non-native to the Isan language being adopted in certain cases.

What is the Isan language?

Isan belong to the Tai branch of the Kradai languages. It is often considered to be a Thai dialect, a Lao dialect, or a language in its own right. This has given Isan a wealth of other names including Thai Isan, Lao Isan, Lao, or Northeastern Thai.

What is the difference between Isan and Lao?

Isan people tend to only refer to themselves and their language as Lao when in Northeastern Thailand where ethnic Lao form the majority of the population, or in private settings of other Isan people, typically away from other Thai-speaking people, where the language can be used freely.

How old is the Lao language in Isan?

The Lao language has a long presence in Isan, arriving with migrants fleeing southern China sometime starting the 8th or 10th centuries that followed the river valleys into Southeast Asia. The region of what is now Laos and Isan was nominally united under the Lao kingdom of Lan Xang (1354–1707).