Va language

Va
RegionMojiang County, China
Native speakers
3,000 (2015)
Language codes
ISO 639-3None (mis)
Glottologeast2776

Va is a pair of Angkuic languages spoken in Mojiang Hani Autonomous County, Yunnan, China. Although the Va autonym is vaʔ51, the language is not Wa, and neither does it belong to the Waic language subgroup. Rather, Va constitutes a separate subdivision within the Angkuic languages.

  • Northern Va (about 2,000 speakers): spoken in Taihe Administrative Village 太和村, Jingxing Township 景星乡, Mojiang County, Yunnan, China. Northern Va is spoken by all generations, including children.
  • Southern Va (about 1,000 speakers): spoken in Zhenglong Administrative Village 正龙村, Jingxing Township 景星乡, Mojiang County, Yunnan, China. Southern Va is more endangered and is not spoken by children, but is also more phonologically conservative.