Editing Isan language (section)

===Endonyms===
Isan people have traditionally referred to their speech as the ''Lao'' language ({{lang|tts|ภาษาลาว}}, {{lang|tts|ພາສາລາວ}}, {{IPA|tts|pʰâː.săː lâːw|}}). This is sometimes modified with the word ''tai'' ({{lang|tts|ไท}}, {{lang|tts|ໄທ}}, {{IPA|tts|tʰâj|}}, {{Literal translation|inhabitant|person}}) or the related form ''Thai'' ({{lang|tts|ไทย}}, {{lang|tts|ໄທ}}, {{IPA|tts|tʰâj|}}), which refers to Thailand or the Thai people, thus yielding ''Phasa Tai Lao'' ({{lang|tts|ภาษาไทลาว}}, {{lang|tts|ພາສາໄທລາວ}}, 'language of the Lao people') and ''Phasa Thai Lao'' ({{lang|tts|ภาษาไทยลาว}}, {{lang|lo|ພາສາໄທລາວ}}, 'Lao language of Thailand').

''Lao'' derives from an ancient Austroasiatic loan into Kra-Dai, *''k.ra:w'', which signified a '(venerable) person' and is also ultimately the source of the Isan words ''lao'' ({{lang|tts|ลาว}}, {{lang|tts|ລາວ}}, {{IPA|tts|lâːw|}}, 'he/she/it'), and ''hao'' ({{lang|tts|เฮา}}, {{lang|tts|ເຮົາ}}, {{IPA|tts|hâw|}}, 'we/us'). ''Tai'' and ''Thai'' both derive from another Austroasiatic loan into Kra-Dai, *''k.riː'', which signifies a '(free) person'. The various [[Kra–Dai-speaking peoples|Kra–Dai peoples]] have traditionally used variants of either *''k.riː'' or *''k.ra:w'' as ethnic and linguistic self-appellations, sometimes even interchangeably.<ref>Ferlus, Michel (2009). Formation of Ethnonyms in Southeast Asia. 42nd International Conference on Sino-Tibetan Languages and Linguistics, Nov 2009, Chiang Mai, Thailand. 2009, pp.3–4.</ref>

Isan people tend to refer to themselves and their language as ''Lao'' only when in settings with other Isan people, where the language can be used freely, typically away from other Thai-speaking people. Isan speakers typically find the term ''Lao'' offensive when used by outsiders, due to its usage as a discriminatory slur, often insinuating their rural upbringings, superstitious beliefs, links with the Lao people of Laos (i.e., not Thai) and traditional, agrarian lifestyles. In dealings with Lao people from Laos, Isan people may sometimes use ''Phasa Lao Isan'' or 'Isan Lao language' or simply ''Isan'' when clarification is needed as to their origins or why their accents differ. The use of ''Lao'' or ''Lao Isan'' identity, although eschewed by younger generations, is making a comeback, but use of these terms outside of private settings or with other Lao people has strong political associations, especially with the far-left political movements advocating greater autonomy for the region.<ref name="TaiNoi">Wattasoke, S. (2019 Feb.) '[https://theisaanrecord.co/2019/02/07/isaan-siamese-colonization-tai-noi/ Isaan under Siamese colonization: Eradicating the Tai Noi script]'. ''The Isaan Record''. Culture Section. Khon Khaen, Thailand. Last retrieved 21 Jun 2021.</ref>

As a result, younger people have adopted the neologism ''Isan'' to describe themselves and their language, as it conveniently avoids ambiguity with the Laotian Lao as well as association with movements, historical and current, that tend to be leftist and at odds with the central government in Bangkok. The language is also called affectionately ''Phasa Ban Hao'' ({{lang|tts|ภาษาบ้านเฮา}}, {{lang|lo|ພາສາບ້ານເຮົາ}}, {{IPA|tts|pʰáː.sǎː bâːn háw|}}), which can be translated as either 'our home language' or 'our village language'.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}}