Introduction
The country of Laos, also known as Lao People’s Democratic Republic or Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao, is a small country in Southeast Asia with a population of 6,911,544 people. This developing country has maintained a laid-back lifestyle that disappeared in other regions.
In the 14th century, Laos was part of the Kingdom of Lan Xang or Land of a Million Elephants. During this time, elements of Indian culture were introduced such as Buddhism, the dominant religion. As the Kingdom of Lan Xang slowly declined by the 18th century, it placed Laos under the domination of Siam, or current Thailand. By the late 19th century, the French colonization shaped Laos as part of French Indochina. Then the Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 defined the current Lao border with Thailand. European culture influenced Laos till the mid-20th century, resulting in increased numbers of citizens educated in French. After declaring independence from the French in 1949, Pathet Lao led with an Marxist-Leninist ideology, putting an end to a six-century-old monarchy and declared Laos a communist country in 1975.
Laos is landlocked by its neighbors: Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, and Myanmar. Geological landscapes such as forested mountains, upland plateaus, and lowland plains allow isolated valley communities to exist throughout Laos. These distinct communities continue various traditions, religions, and language dialects. Being predominantly agricultural and rural, Laos supports its diverse populations through the cultivation of rice.
Laos is one of the most linguistically diverse countries, with an estimated 70 to 120 languages being spoken. The four language families include Tai , Mon-khmer, Hmong-Mien, and Tibeto-Burman. An estimated 52% of the citizens speak the country’s official language, Lao, while others speak Vietnamese, French, English, and other languages.
Today, Laos strives to become a “land-linked” country by increasing communication globally. The English language is essential for Laos to achieved this goal.
Yoko Matsuda, Fall 2015
In the 14th century, Laos was part of the Kingdom of Lan Xang or Land of a Million Elephants. During this time, elements of Indian culture were introduced such as Buddhism, the dominant religion. As the Kingdom of Lan Xang slowly declined by the 18th century, it placed Laos under the domination of Siam, or current Thailand. By the late 19th century, the French colonization shaped Laos as part of French Indochina. Then the Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 defined the current Lao border with Thailand. European culture influenced Laos till the mid-20th century, resulting in increased numbers of citizens educated in French. After declaring independence from the French in 1949, Pathet Lao led with an Marxist-Leninist ideology, putting an end to a six-century-old monarchy and declared Laos a communist country in 1975.
Laos is landlocked by its neighbors: Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, and Myanmar. Geological landscapes such as forested mountains, upland plateaus, and lowland plains allow isolated valley communities to exist throughout Laos. These distinct communities continue various traditions, religions, and language dialects. Being predominantly agricultural and rural, Laos supports its diverse populations through the cultivation of rice.
Laos is one of the most linguistically diverse countries, with an estimated 70 to 120 languages being spoken. The four language families include Tai , Mon-khmer, Hmong-Mien, and Tibeto-Burman. An estimated 52% of the citizens speak the country’s official language, Lao, while others speak Vietnamese, French, English, and other languages.
Today, Laos strives to become a “land-linked” country by increasing communication globally. The English language is essential for Laos to achieved this goal.
Yoko Matsuda, Fall 2015