Like most languages in Southeast Asia, Thai has its origin and development within the confines of Thailand however, approximately half of words in the Thai language are borrowed from other languages. Every one of these languages derives from distinct sources and possess unique cultural characteristics.įor example, Thai, spoken in Thailand, is an undeniably unique language. The main languages in Southeast Asia are Lao, Thai, Burmese, Khmer, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Malay, Indonesian and also a peppering of Chinese dialects. On the contrary, languages in Southeast Asia are a good source of study for the diversity of the region, revealing the historical influences and the localization of said influences that make this region particularly interesting. Being so diverse in so many respects, but especially with regard to its languages, one cannot point to a “monolithic” Southeast Asia, as some might believe exist. Southeast Asia incorporates many countries from Myanmar to Timor-Leste. This area’s linguistic diversity is no less impressive. It is a part of the Asian continent that boasts of a rich history, made up of distinct cultures, climates, cuisines, and systems of belief. Southeast Asia amasses a vast geographical area.