Kaloeng language

Kaloeng (Kalerng, Kaleung) is a Southwestern Tai language of Thailand and Laos.

Distribution
In Thailand, Kaloeng is spoken in Sakon Nakhon Province, Nakhon Phanom Province, and Mukdahan Province (Trongdee 2016). In Laos, it is spoken in Khammouan Province.

External classification
Mudjalin Luksanawong classifies the Kaloeng language as part of the Sakon Nakhon subbranch of the Southwestern Tai.
 * Nakhon Phanom
 * Nakhon Phanom
 * Sakon Nakhon
 * Yoy-Yooy-Kalööng
 * Yoy
 * Yooy
 * Kalööng

In the Sakon Nakhon languages, Proto-Tai *hw- and *w- (Pittayaporn 2009:134-135) became /ph/- (Trongdee 2016:55). Also, the Sakon Nakhon languages display the uncommon labiovelar initial clusters thw-, cw-, sw-, hw-, ŋw-, lw-, ʔw- (Trongdee 2016:56).

Internal classification
Thananan Trongdee classifies the Kaloeng dialects as follows according to the evolution of the Proto-Kaloeng diphthong *-aɯ.


 * Group 1: *-aɯ > -aɯ (all spoken in Laos)
 * Hinboun District: Pha Wang; Nong Hoi
 * Yommalath District: Phon Bok
 * Nong Bok District: Nong Bok
 * Boualapha District: Kha Yu
 * Kounkham District: Kong Lo
 * (branch)
 * Group 2: *-aɯ > -əi
 * Mueang Sakon Nakhon District: Muanglai ม่วงลาย
 * Kut Bak District: Ban Bua บ้านบัว
 * Kusuman District: Saen Phan แสนพัน
 * Khamcha-i District: Non Sang Si
 * Group 3: *-aɯ > -ai
 * Mueang Sakon Nakhon District: Na Yo นายอ; Dong Mafai ดงมะไฟ
 * Phanna Nikhom District: Choeng Chum เชิงชุม
 * Mueang Nakhon Phanom District: Kurukhu กุรุคุ; Khamtoei คำเตย
 * Phon Sawan District: Phon Bok โพนบก
 * Tha Uthen District: Na Sok นาโสก
 * Pla Pak District: Kutakai ปลาปาก
 * Na Kae District: Phra Song พระซอง
 * Yommalath District, Laos: Don Pueai
 * Nong Bok District, Laos: Dong Phak Pue