Kaloeng language explained

Kaloeng (Kalerng, Kaleung) is a Southwestern Tai language of Thailand and Laos.

Distribution

In Thailand, Kaloeng is spoken in Sakon Nakhon Province, Nakhon Phanom Province, and Mukdahan Province (Trongdee 2016). In Laos, it is spoken in Khammouan Province.

External classification

Mudjalin Luksanawong^[1] classifies the Kaloeng language as part of the Sakon Nakhon subbranch of the Southwestern Tai.

• Nakhon Phanom
  • Nakhon Phanom
• Sakon Nakhon
  • Yoy-Yooy-Kalööng
    • Yoy
    • Yooy
    • Kalööng

In the Sakon Nakhon languages, Proto-Tai *hw- and *w- (Pittayaporn 2009:134-135) became /ph/- (Trongdee 2016:55). Also, the Sakon Nakhon languages display the uncommon labiovelar initial clusters thw-, cw-, sw-, hw-, ŋw-, lw-, ʔw- (Trongdee 2016:56).

Internal classification

Thananan Trongdee^[2] classifies the Kaloeng dialects as follows according to the evolution of the Proto-Kaloeng diphthong *-aɯ.

• Group 1: *-aɯ > -aɯ (all spoken in Laos)
  • Hinboun District

Pha Wang; Nong Hoi

• • Yommalath District

Phon Bok

• • Nong Bok District

Nong Bok

• • Boualapha District

Kha Yu

• • Kounkham District

Kong Lo

• (branch)
  • Group 2: *-aɯ > -əi
    • Mueang Sakon Nakhon District

Muanglai ม่วงลาย

• • • Kut Bak District

Ban Bua บ้านบัว

• • • Kusuman District

Saen Phan แสนพัน

• • • Khamcha-i District

Non Sang Si

• • Group 3: *-aɯ > -ai
    • Mueang Sakon Nakhon District

Na Yo นายอ; Dong Mafai ดงมะไฟ

• • • Phanna Nikhom District

Choeng Chum เชิงชุม

• • • Mueang Nakhon Phanom District

Kurukhu กุรุคุ; Khamtoei คำเตย

• • • Phon Sawan District

Phon Bok โพนบก

• • • Tha Uthen District

Na Sok นาโสก

• • • Pla Pak District

Kutakai ปลาปาก

• • • Na Kae District

Phra Song พระซอง

• • • Yommalath District, Laos: Don Pueai
    • Nong Bok District, Laos: Dong Phak Pue

Notes and References

1. Lawalee. Banjong. Yodmalee. Boonsom. Champadaeng. Sitthisak. 2014-09-24. Boon Phawet: A Comparative Study of a Phu Tai, Tai-Lao and Kaleung Religious Ceremony in North-eastern Thailand. Asian Culture and History. 7. 1. 10.5539/ach.v7n1p24. 1916-9663. free.
2. Trongdee. Thananan. 2014. The Lao-Speaking Nyo in Banteay Meanchey Province of Cambodia. Manusya. 17. 3. 69–85. 10.1163/26659077-01703005. 0859-9920. free.