Maleng language


Maleng, also known as Pakatan and Bo, is a Vietic language of Laos and Vietnam.
Maleng has the four-way register system of Thavung augmented with pitch.
Malieng, despite having the same name as Maleng, is a dialect of Chut.

Varieties

Maleng consists of three dialect clusters:
  • Maleng ; Kha Pakatan; Malang; Arem/'Harème. Sub-varieties include Kha Muong Ben and Kha Bo.
  • Ma Lieng, also known as Pa Leng
  • Kha Phong ; Maleng Kari; Maleng Bro. Also known as Kha Nam Om'. The Kha Phong live in 2 to 3 villages in Laos, and in one village in Hà Tĩnh province, Vietnam. Strongly influenced by Lao. Maleng Bro was documented by Michel Ferlus in 1992, and also by the 2012-2013 Russian-Vietnamese Linguistic Expedition.

    Distribution

Maleng is spoken in the following villages of Laos and Vietnam.
  • Khammouane province, Laos
  • *Nậm Huay
  • *Pung Kợt
  • *Song Khon
  • *Upper Nrong River
  • *Xang Huay E An
  • Quảng Bình province and Hà Tĩnh province, Vietnam
  • *Hương Lâm
  • *Hương Liên
  • *Lâm Hóa