The Tai-Kadai languages, also known simply as Kadai, are a language family found in Southeast Asia and southern China. They were formerly considered to be part of the Sino-Tibetan family, but are now classified independently as the Tai-Kadai family. They may be related to the Austronesian language family. Some researchers have even proposed they are part of a larger Austric superfamily.
The Tai-Kadai languages originated in southern China, which is home to most of the Tai-Kadai subfamilies. Speakers of the Tai languages subgroup moved south into Southeast Asia in historic times, founding the nations that later became Thailand and Laos.
Tai-Kadai languages
- Hlai languages (2)
- Jiamao language (China)
- Hlai language (China)
- Kadai languages (9)
- Bu-Rong languages (1)
- Ge-Chi languages (3)
- Gelao language (Vietnam)
- Lachi language (Vietnam)
- White Lachi language (Vietnam)
- Yang-Biao languages (5)
- Buyang language (China)
- Cun language (China)
- En language (Vietnam)
- Laqua language (Vietnam)
- Laha language (Vietnam)
- Kam-Tai languages (59)
- Be-Tai languages (49)
- Be languages (1)
- Tai-Sek languages (48)
- Kam-Sui languages (9)
- Ai-Cham language (China)
- Cao Miao language (China)
- Northern Dong language (China)
- Southern Dong language (China)
- Mak language (China)
- Mulam language (China)
- Maonan language (China)
- Sui language (China)
- T'en language (China)
- Lakkja languages (1)
Last updated: 05-07-2005 08:01:45
Last updated: 05-13-2005 07:56:04