Mon-Khmer languages
The Mon-Khmer languages are the autochthonous languages of Indo-China. Together with the Munda languages of India, they compose the Austroasiatic phylum of languages.
They comprise eleven distinct groups:
- Vietnamese in Vietnam (66 to 73 million speakers)
- Khmer (or Cambodian) in Cambodia, southern Vietnam, and northeastern Thailand (15 to 22 million)
- Aslian in peninsular Malaya, split into three groups, Jahaic, Senoic and Semelaic. They are under pressure from Malay.
- Xmu or Khmu in northern Laos
- Katuic in central Laos
- Bahnar in southern Laos
- Mon in the lower Salween, Burma (1 million).
- Wa in the upper Salween, Sino-Burmese border.
- Khasi in Meghalaya, India.
- Nicobarese on the Nicobar Islands.
- Pear is a remnant on the Cambodian coast.
- Palaung (Ta-ang) in northern Thailand