Language is the bridge that allows us to communicate and share with others. Understanding multiple languages helps us break barriers between nations and makes travelling easier, as you can connect with local people.
Southeast Asia is home to countries with diverse tribes, each having its own unique mother tongue. However, in the era of globalization, traditional languages are gradually fading. Every country has its national language. In countries like Malaysia and Singapore, English is widely spoken in society.
There are many endangered languages in Southeast Asia. What are they? Let’s dive into the details of languages that are actively used by fewer than 1,000 native speakers.
Arem Language
The Arem language originates from a minority group called Chut. Around four to seven tribes are gathered under the name Chut group. They are known as underdeveloped tribes in Laos also Vietnam.
Each tribe in the Chut group marks its territory using trees, rivers, and streams, with the boundaries agreed upon by leaders representing each tribe. The tribespeople are careful not to encroach on others' territories without permission to avoid provoking conflict.
The Viet-Muong branch includes the Arem language (part of Mon-Khmer language family). Its speakers live in remote areas of the Bouarapha District in Khammouan Province, eastern Laos, near the Laos-Vietnam border.
Laghuu Language
Laghuu, also known as the Lolo language, is spoken in northwest Vietnam. In Vietnamese, Laghuu is called Xá Phó or Phù Lá Lão. Native speakers can be found in Sa Pa city.
Experts believe that Laghuu’s roots are connected to the Yi language of China. Native speakers primarily live in greener areas such as mountains and valleys in northern Vietnam, close to the Chinese border.
Mok Language
Mok is a native language spoken in Myanmar and Thailand and is part of the Austro-Asiatic language family. It serves as the mother tongue of the entire ethnic community, although it is not known to be taught in schools.
The Austro-Asiatic language family consists of around 150 languages spoken by over 65 million people across Southeast Asia and eastern India. Many of these languages have distinct dialects. Among them, Khmer, Mon, and Vietnamese stand out as culturally significant, with the longest documented histories.
Abai Sungai
Abai Sungai is an endangered language spoken by the Sungai tribe, an indigenous group in Central Kalimantan, Borneo, Indonesia.
The language is characterised by its polysynthetic nature, meaning speakers form words by combining multiple morphemes to create complex sentences. Abai Sungai speakers can also be found in Sabah, Malaysia.
Kham Muang
Thailand is home to another endangered language called Kham Muang, also known as Lanna, which translates to "language of townspeople." Native speakers primarily live in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, and parts of Laos.
Kham Muang is nearing extinction because younger generations are not being taught the language properly. Although there are efforts to preserve it, the challenges remain significant. Today, Kham Muang speakers can often be found in Buddhist temples.
Do you live in a city or town where a language different from your national language is spoken? Let’s use our traditional languages more often with family and friends. These five endangered languages from Southeast Asia can inspire more people to appreciate the beauty and diversity of linguistic heritage.
