The Kam–Tai languages, also called Dong–Tai () or Zhuang–Dong () in China, are a proposed primary branch of the Kra–Dai language family. However, since the 2000s in China, the names ''Dong–Tai'' () and ''Zhuang–Dong'' () have been used to refer to the entire Kra–Dai language family, including the

Kra languages The Kra languages ( ; also known as the Geyang or Kadai languages) are a branch of the Kra–Dai language family spoken in southern China (Guizhou, Guangxi, Yunnan) and in northern Vietnam ( Hà Giang Province). Names The name ''Kra'' comes fro ...

, due to the extensive documentation and comparative work done on Kra languages in China starting from the 2000s.

Definitions

The term ''Kam–Tai'' always includes at least both Tai and Kam–Sui by definition, and can refer to: #The entire Kra–Dai language family (as used by Chinese-speaking scholars) #Most Kra–Dai branches, but typically excluding Kra and Hlai (in most Western classifications, and also the definition used in this article) #A core Kra–Dai group that includes all Kra–Dai languages except for Biao and Lakkia ( Norquest 2021)

History of classification

In Western scholarship, a Kam–Tai group consisting of Kam–Sui and Tai is accepted by Edmondson & Solnit (1988).Edmondson, Jerold A. and David B. Solnit, editors. 1988. Comparative Kadai: Linguistic studies beyond Tai. Summer Institute of Linguistics and the University of Texas at Arlington Publications in Linguistics, 86. Dallas: Summer Institute of Linguistics and the University of Texas at Arlington. vii, 374 p.Edmondson, Jerold A. and David B. Solnit, editors. 1997. Comparative Kadai: the Tai branch. Summer Institute of Linguistics and the University of Texas at Arlington Publications in Linguistics, 124. Dallas: Summer Institute of Linguistics and the University of Texas at Arlington. vi, 382 p. Hansell (1988)Hansell, Mark. 1988. The Relation of Be to Tai: Evidence from Tones and Initials. In ''Comparative Kadai: Linguistic studies beyond Tai''. Edited by Jerold A. Edmondson and David B. Solnit. Summer Institute of Linguistics and The University of Texas at Arlington Publications in Linguistics No. 86: 239–288. considers Be to be a

sister A sister is a woman or a girl who shares parents or a parent with another individual; a female sibling. The male counterpart is a brother. Although the term typically refers to a familial relationship, it is sometimes used endearingly to ref ...

of the Tai branch based on shared vocabulary, and proposes a ''Be–Tai'' grouping within Kam–Tai. This classification is also followed by Norquest (2015).Norquest, Peter. 2015. ''A Phonological Reconstruction of Proto-Hlai''. Leiden: Brill. However, Ostapirat (2005)Ostapirat, Weera. (2005). "Kra–Dai and Austronesian: Notes on phonological correspondences and vocabulary distribution", pp. 107–131 in Sagart, Laurent, Blench, Roger & Sanchez-Mazas, Alicia (eds.), ''The Peopling of East Asia: Putting Together Archaeology, Linguistics and Genetics.'' London/New York: Routledge-Curzon. and various other linguists do not make use of the Kam–Tai grouping.

Dispersal

Liang & Zhang (1996:18)Liang Min 梁敏 & Zhang Junru 张均如. 1996. ''Dongtai yuzu gailun'' 侗台语族概论 / ''An introduction to the Kam–Tai languages''. Beijing: China Social Sciences Academy Press 中国社会科学出版社. estimate that the Kam-Sui, Tai, and Hlai branches had already formed by about 5,000 years B.P.

References

*Edmondson, J. A., & Solnit, D. B. (eds.) (1988). ''Comparative Kadai: linguistic studies beyond Tai''. Summer Institute of Linguistics publications in linguistics, no. 86. Arlington, TX: Summer Institute of Linguistics. *Liang Min 梁敏 & Zhang Junru 张均如. 1996. ''Dongtai yuzu gailun'' 侗台语族概论 / ''An introduction to the Kam–Tai languages''. Beijing: China Social Sciences Academy Press 中国社会科学出版社. *Ni Dabai 倪大白. 1990. ''Dongtai yu gailun'' 侗台语概论 / ''An introduction to the Kam-Tai languages''. Beijing: Central Nationalities Research Institute Press 中央民族学院出版社. {{DEFAULTSORT:Kam-Tai languages Kra–Dai languages