The Status and Role of the Phu La Language in Contemporary Life

Abstract

Phul La language belongs to the Sino-Tibetan language family, the Tibeto-Karen branch, the Tibeto-Burmese sub-branch, the Burmese-Lolo group. Currently, Phu La language is classified as critically endangered. Research shows that in present-day family communication, Phu La speakers use three languages: Phu La, Quan Hoa, and Vietnamese, with . Quan Hoa being used at the highest rate. Vietnamese tends to be increasingly learnt and used by preschool- and primary- school- aged children. The role and function of Phu La are becoming increasingly restricted; it is now used very little and is only kept by the elderly. The majority of Phu La informants (93%) believe that Phu La people shoudl know their language and express a desire for it  to be taught in schools, because they wish to preserve the language and maintain their ethnic culture.