Tai–Kadai languages

Tai–Kadai languages are a family of related languages primarily spoken in Southeast Asia and parts of southern China. They include languages like Thai, Lao, and Shan. These languages share common linguistic features, such as tonal systems and similar grammatical structures, indicating a shared ancestral origin. Historically, they are believed to have originated in southern China and spread southward into mainland Southeast Asia. Though diverse, Tai–Kadai languages are connected through their vocabulary, tone use, and phonetic patterns, forming a distinct language family that reflects cultural and historical ties among the peoples of this region.