The Lao language is the official language of Laos and is spoken by the majority of its population. It belongs to the Tai-Kadai language family and is closely related to Thai, sharing many similarities in vocabulary and grammar. The language is written using the Lao script, which is an abugida derived from the Brahmi script. Lao is tonal, meaning that the pitch used when pronouncing a word can change its meaning. There are six tones in the language, which can make it challenging for non-native speakers. Despite this, Lao is an important part of the cultural identity of the Lao people and is used in daily communication, education, and media.