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a language family that includes languages such as Thai, Lao, Zhuang, and many others, primarily spoken in Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand, Laos, and parts of China
What are "Kra-Dai languages"?
Kra-Dai languages, also known as Tai-Kadai languages, are a language family primarily spoken in southern China, Southeast Asia, and parts of northeastern India. Major languages in this family include Thai, Lao, Zhuang, and Kam. Kra-Dai languages are characterized by tonal distinctions, where the meaning of a word can change based on pitch, and they typically have a simple syllable structure. These languages exhibit features such as subject-verb-object word order and the use of classifiers. The study of Kra-Dai languages provides insights into the linguistic history of the region, the migration patterns of the peoples who speak them, and their cultural identities.
