Lavi language

Lavi (Lawi; autonym: Swoeng or səlwəŋ) is a Mon–Khmer language of the Bahnaric branch spoken in Sekong Province, Laos. Chazée (1999:95) estimates the population at 500, while the 2015 Laotian census places the Lavi population at 1,215.

The Lavi language was discovered by Thai linguist Therapan L-Thongkum in the late 1990s. Within the West Bahnaric branch, it is the most divergent language (Sidwell 2003). Lavi speakers reside in the village Ban Lavi (also called Ban Fandeng), which is about 8 km south of the city of Sekong. Speakers can also be found in Laongam in Salavan province, Paksong in Champasak province, and Thateng in Sekong province.

Applying for an iso 639-3 code in 2018.

References

Further reading

• Bradley, David (2007). Languages of Mainland South-East Asia. In The Vanishing Languages of the Pacific Rim. Oxford University Press. Oxford and New York. p. 317.
• Sidwell, Paul (2003). A Handbook of comparative Bahnaric, Vol. 1: West Bahnaric. Pacific Linguistics, 551. Canberra: Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University.
• L-Thongkum, Theraphan. (1997). The place of Lawi, Harak and Tariang within Bahnaric. Mon-Khmer Studies Journal vol. p.109-117.
• L-Thongkum, Theraphan. (2001). Languages of the Tribes in Xekong Province Southern Laos. The Thailand Research Fund. (In Thai, see pages 399-400 for information on Lavi's sound system).

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Languages of Laos

Official language

• Lao

Indigenous
languages

Austroasiatic	Bahnaric Alak Duan Halang Jeh Jru' Juk Laven Lavi Nyaheun Oi Sapuan Sedang Su' Katuic Bru Brao Katu Kuy Ta'Oi Khmuic Khmu Mlabri Phong-Kniang Palaungic Bit Kiorr Lamet Vietic Arem Chut Cuoi Kri Liha Maleng Nguồn Thavung Vietnamese
Hmong–Mien	Hmong Iu Mien
Sino-Tibetan	Akeu Akha Bantang Cantan Cauho Cosao Hani Phunoi Piyo Sinsali
Kra–Dai	Khün Northern Thai Phuan Saek Tai Daeng Tai Dam Tai Lue Yoy

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Sign languages

• Laotian sign languages

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