Tai Pao language

{{short description|Tai language of Vietnam and Laos}}

{{Infobox language

| name = Tai Pao

| altname = Tai Hang Tong

| image = Lai Pao script.png

| imagecaption = "Tai Pao" written in Lai Pao script

| states = Vietnam

| speakers = ca. {{sigfig|13,300|2}}

| date = 1995 census – 2002

| ref = e18

| familycolor = Kradai

| fam2 = Tai

| fam3 = Northern

| script = Lai Pao script

| iso3 = tpo

| glotto = taih1245

| glottorefname = Tai Pao (Retired)

}}

Tai Pao, known in Vietnamese sources as Tai Hang Tong (Hàng Tổng), is a Tai language of Vietnam and Laos. In Laos, it is spoken in Khamkeut District, Pakkading District, and Viengthong District of Bolikhamxai Province. Two dialects of Tai Hang Tong are distinguished: Tai Pao and Tai Yo.{{Cite web |title=Indications About the Two Dialects of Tai Hang Tong (=Tai Muong) |url=https://www.ethnologue.com/contribution/55001 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208232930/https://www.ethnologue.com/contribution/55001 |archive-date=2021-02-08 |access-date=2021-01-06 |website=Ethnologue}}

==Lai Pao script==

The Tai Hang Tong in Tương Dương, Nghệ An Province preserve a unique script called Lai Pao or Lai Paw. Since 2006, the preservation of Lai Pao script was made possible by conservation works of Michel Ferlus.{{Cite web |last=My Ha |date=2006-06-11 |title=Scholar in a Race Against Time to Preserve Thai Ancient Script |url=https://vietnamnews.vn/sunday/features/154409/scholar-in-a-race-against-time-to-preserve-thai-ancient-script.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127182622/https://vietnamnews.vn/sunday/features/154409/scholar-in-a-race-against-time-to-preserve-thai-ancient-script.html |archive-date=2021-11-27 |access-date=2021-01-06 |website=Việt Nam News}}