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Thao (Sao, autonymously Thaw a tnaw "the Thao language") is one of the most critically endangered Austronesian languages, with only ~5 fluent native speakers remaining among ~600 ethnic Thao. The Thao are concentrated at Sun Moon Lake (also known as Lake Candidius) in central Taiwan, where they are the original inhabitants. Linguistically, Thao is the only surviving Western Plains Formosan language — sister to several extinct Plains Formosan languages of the Taiwanese west coast (Hoanya, Babuza, Papora, etc.) that died out during 17th-19th century Han Chinese settlement. Thao's linguistic isolation makes it especially valuable for Austronesian historical reconstruction. Recognized as Taiwan's 10th official aboriginal nation in 2001 after extensive community advocacy.