Burmese languages

The Burmese or Burmese languages form a sub-unit of the Lolo-Burmese languages , which belong to the Tibetan Burmese languages , a primary branch of Sinotibetic . The approximately fifteen languages are spoken by 35 million people in Burma and southern China . The Burmese languages are genetically divided into two subgroups, North Burmese and South Burmese. The latter consists of the actual Burmese (also: Burmese) and closely related languages, whereas North Burmese forms a relatively heterogeneous group.

By far the most important individual language of the Burmese language group is Burmese proper , with 32 million native speakers and over 10 million second speakers it is the national language of Burma. Burmese, the first written evidence of which dates back to the 12th century and which has since developed into a rich literary and cultural language, is by far the most spoken Tibetan Burmese language.

The Burmese languages within Sino-Tibetan

Sinotibian
- Tibeto Burmese
  - Lolo-Burmese
    - Lolo languages
    - Burmese languages

Internal classification and number of speakers

Burmese
- North Burmese
  - Maru (Lawng) (100k speakers)
  - Zaiwa (Tsaiva, Atsi) (110 thousand)
  - Lashi (Lachi, Letsi) (30k)
  - Achang (30 thousand)
  - Xiandao (Xiandaohua) almost † ( possibly a dialect of the Achang )
  - Bela (Bola) (400)
  - Hpong (Phun) (some 100)
- South Burmese
  - Burmese (i. E. S.) (Burmese) (32 million, with second speakers approx. 45 million)
    - Dialects: Standard Burmese (sub-dialects Rangoon, Mandalay); Mergui, Yaw, Danu, Palaw
  - Yangbye (800k)
  - Tavoyan (400k)
  - Chaungta (120k)
  - Intha (100 thousand)
  - Taungyo (40k)
  - Rakhain (Arakanese) (1 million)

Classification and number of speakers according to the given web link. Some researchers consider the southern Burmese varieties to be dialects of Burmese rather than separate languages.

literature