Lashi language


Lashi is a Burmish language. Although the endonym Lashi is often used by Western researchers, the people refer to themselves and their language as Lacid. It is according to Nishi in the Maruic branch, which preserves the preglottalized initials of Proto-Burmish in the most phonotactic environments.

Distribution

There are conflicting reports about the size of the Lashi population. Reports range from 30,000 to 60,000. In China, Lashi speakers are distributed in Mangshi City, Ruili City, Longchuan County, and Yingjiang County of western Yunnan Province. Mangshi has the most Lashi speakers, who are distributed in the following townships.
  • Manghai
  • Zhongshan
  • Dongshan
  • Santai
Lashi is also spoken in eastern Shan State, Burma. Lashi was originally spoken in the downstream area of the Ngochang Hka river valley, a tributary of the N’Mai Hka river, while Ngochang was originally spoken in the upstream area of the Ngochang Hka river valley.
The Chashan language, which is closely related to Lashi, is spoken in nearby Pianma Township, Lushui County.