'Languages are the chief distinguishing marks of peoples. No people in fact comes into being until it speaks a language of its own; let the languages perish and the peoples perish too, or become different peoples. But that never happens except as the result of oppression and distress.'

These are the words of a little-known Icelander of the early nineteenth century, Sjéra Tómas Sæmundsson.

The Akha speak a lolo-ish language of Sino Tibetan origin.

Though given various scripts by the missionaries, first catholic and then protestant, the Akha had no written script before this time. Considering their living locations and the high humidity and bugs willing to eat paper, it is little wonder.

We have worked with numerous Akha to put together a new non partisan script many years now and you can find books written in this script in the downloads section. You may also find additional relevant information in education or books section of contents.