Laospeaking

Laospeaking refers to the practice and study of speaking Lao, the official language of Laos, and to the communities that use Lao as their primary language in education, media, and daily communication. The term is used in sociolinguistic and language-education contexts to discuss language use, proficiency, and policy related to Lao-speaking populations.

Geographic distribution: Lao is native to Laos and spoken by the Lao ethnic majority there. Smaller Lao-speaking communities are found in neighboring Thailand (notably the Isan region), Vietnam, and within diaspora communities around the world, including the United States, France, Australia, and Canada.

Linguistic characteristics: Lao is a Tai-Kadai language. It is tonal and written in the Lao script, an abugida closely related to Thai script. Standard Lao is associated with the Vientiane variety, while regional forms exist. The Isan language in northeast Thailand is often described as Lao-influenced, with some debate over whether it constitutes a distinct variety.

Sociolinguistic context: In Laos, Lao serves as the language of government, education, and mass media, alongside minority languages such as Khmu and Hmong. In Thailand and among Lao-speaking diaspora communities, language maintenance varies by generation, with efforts in some communities to promote literacy and cultural continuity through schooling and media in Lao.

See also: Lao language, Lao script, Isan language, Language policy in Laos, Language in Thailand.