"Austroasiatic languages"的定义和意义

What are "Austroasiatic languages"?

Austroasiatic languages are a family of languages primarily spoken in Southeast Asia and parts of South Asia. This language family includes major languages such as Vietnamese, Khmer also known as Cambodian, and several languages spoken by Indigenous groups in northeastern India and Bangladesh, such as Khasi and Mundari. Austroasiatic languages are characterized by features such as complex tonal systems, rich vowel inventories, and a variety of grammatical structures. Many of these languages have significant cultural and historical importance, reflecting the diverse traditions and histories of the peoples who speak them. The study of Austroasiatic languages offers valuable insights into the linguistic diversity of the region and the historical interactions between different communities.