Tai Dam language
Tai Dam, also known as Black Tai, is a Tai language spoken by the Tai [Dam people|Tai Dam] in Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and China.
The Tai Dam language is similar to Thai and Lao, but it is not close enough to be readily understood by most Thai and Lao speakers. In particular, the Khmer, Pali and Sanskrit additions to Thai and Lao are largely missing from Tai Dam.
Geographical distribution
Tai Dam is spoken in Vietnam, China, Laos, and Thailand. In central and western Thailand, it is known as Thai Song.Tai Dam speakers in China are classified as part of the Dai nationality along with almost all the other Tai peoples. But in Vietnam they are given their own nationality where they are classified as the Thái nationality.
In China, Tai Dam people are located in the following townships of Yunnan, with about 20,000 people in Yunnan.
- Maguan County 马关县: Muchang Township 木厂乡, Dalishu Township 大栗树乡, and Pojiao Township 坡脚乡
- Wenshan County 文山县: Dehou Township 德厚乡, Panzhihua Township 攀枝花乡
- Hekou County 河口县: Qiaotou Town 桥头镇
- Yuanjiang County 元江县: Dashuiping Township 大水平乡
Official status
In Vietnam, all Tai peoples are taught a standardized Tai language based on the Tai Dam language, using the standardized Tai Viet script.Phonology
Consonants
Initials
- Sounds and can fluctuate to voiced implosive sounds,. may also fluctuate to a lateral sound. can fluctuate to sounds.
- In some rare cases can be realized as a sound.
Finals
- Final plosive sounds can be realized as unreleased.
Vowels
- There is also that corresponds to Proto-Tai *aɰ.
- can tend to fluctuate to a more open sound.
- fluctuates to a back unrounded sound.
Vocabulary
The Khmer, Pali and Sanskrit additions to Thai and Lao are generally absent from Tai Dam. Tai Dam lacks many of the Khmer and Indic loanwords found in Thai, Lao and Isan.- Khmer tônlé generally signifies 'lake' or 'large canal'. Similarly, the Tai Dam term for the sea means 'large lake'.
- Sanskrit source of following Khmer word. Thai and Lao adopted Sanskrit terms via Khmer, but restored their vowels pronunciations.
- The term rak was borrowed from Proto-Mon-Khmer *rk meaning 'to love, beloved, dear' although now the term raek means 'friendly, cordial, pleasant; intimate, affectionate' in modern Khmer.
Grammar
Pronouns
For the word "I"- When addressing parents the word is used instead.
- When addressing grandparents the word is used instead.
| Pronoun | Formal | Informal |
| My | ||
| Our | ||
| Your | ||
| Your | ||
| His/ her | ||
| Their |
For the word "my"
- When addressing parents the word is used instead.
- When addressing grandparents the word is used instead.