The Kam–Tai languages, also called Dong–Tai or Zhuang–Dong in China, are a proposed primary branch of the Kra–Dai language family. However, since the 2000s in China, the names Dong–Tai and Zhuang–Dong have been used to refer to the entire Kra–Dai language family, including the Kra languages, due to the extensive documentation and comparative work done on Kra languages in China starting from the 2000s.

Definitions

The term Kam–Tai always includes at least both Tai and Kam–Sui by definition, and can refer to:

History of classification

In Western scholarship, a Kam–Tai group consisting of Kam–Sui and Tai is accepted by Edmondson & Solnit (1988). Hansell (1988) considers Be to be a sister of the Tai branch based on shared vocabulary, and proposes a Be–Tai grouping within Kam–Tai. This classification is also followed by Norquest (2015). However, Ostapirat (2005) and various other linguists do not make use of the Kam–Tai grouping.

Dispersal

Liang & Zhang (1996:18) estimate that the Kam-Sui, Tai, and Hlai branches had already formed by about 5,000 years B.P.