Note on the Lao Language

Abstract

There are no standard transliterations between Lao and En glish words. I have used colloquial translations and transliterations when available (for example, the word “karma” instead of kamma) to aid the reader in recognizing more familiar terms. Unless a colloquial transliteration in En glish already exists, I have tried to preserve consonant distinctions and vowel lengths in my transliterations (for example, transliterating “development” as the conventional phattana rather than the more accurate phatthanaa). Lao naming practices do not follow the Western norm of personal first name then formal last name. In Lao, it is common to refer to a person more formally by a first name, particularly in honorifics. I have respected this by citing Lao authors by their first names in intext citations and in the reference list— unless the author has published significantly in En glish under their last name. All other authors are cited by their last names.