Lavi language


Lavi is a Mon–Khmer language of the Bahnaric branch spoken in Sekong Province, Laos. Chazée estimates the population at 500, while the 2015 Laotian census places the Lavi population at 1,215.
The Lavi language was discovered by Thai linguist Therapan L-Thongkum in the late 1990s. Within the West Bahnaric branch, it is the most divergent language. Lavi speakers reside in the village Ban Lavi, which is about 8 km south of the city of Sekong. Speakers can also be found in Laongam in Salavan province, Paksong in Champasak province, and Thateng in Sekong province.
Applying for an iso 639-3 code in 2018.