ATB ISO 639-3
Zaiwa
Zaiwâ Autonym
A language of China
- ISO 639
- atb
- Alternate Names
- Aci, Aji, Atshi, Atsi, Atsi-Maru, Atzi, Azi, Szi, Tsaiva, Tsaiwa, Xiaoshanhua
- Autonym
- Zaiwâ
- Population
- 80,000 in China (1999 X. Xijian). 20,000 monolinguals. Total users in all countries: 110,000.
- Location:
- Yunnan province: Dehong Dai-Jingpo autonomous prefecture, Bangwa, Longchuan, Luxi, Ruili, and Yingjiang counties.
- Language Status
- 5 (Developing). Language of recognized nationality: Jingpo.
- Classification
- Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Ngwi-Burmese, Burmish, Northern
- Dialects
- Longzhun, Tingzhu, Bengwa. Some consider Pela [bxd] (Bola, Polo, Pala), Lashi [lsi] (Leqi), and Maru [mhx] (Langsu, Langwa) to be dialects of Zaiwa. Dialects have only minor phonological differences.
- Typology
- SOV; 3 tone categories in unchecked syllables and 2 in checked; tense-lax vowel contrast.
- Language Use
- Vigorous. Speakers of other languages in the area also speak Zaiwa. All domains. Used by all. Used less by young people and children. Positive attitudes. Intellectuals are concerned about preservation of Zaiwa. Some also use Mandarin Chinese [cmn]. Also use Central Bai [bca]. Also use Jingpho [kac]. Also use Lachi [lbt]. Also use Lhao Vo [mhx]. Also use Lisu [lis]. Used as L2 by Jingpho [kac], Lhaovo [mhx].
- Language Development
- Literacy rate in L1: 50,000 can read and write. Taught in primary schools. Newspapers. Radio. TV. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 2009–2019.
- Language Resources
- OLAC resources in and about Zaiwa
- Writing
- Latin script [Latn], developed in 1957, modified in 1997. Lisu (Fraser) script [Lisu], no longer in use.
- Other Comments
- Traditional religion, Christian, Daoist.
Also Spoken in
- Location
- Kachin state: Waimaw township, Sedan area; Shan state: Kentung district.
- Language Status
- 5 (Developing)
- Other Comments
- The Chinese name is Tsaiwa, Jingpho is Atsi, Burmese is Zi. Christian. View other languages of Myanmar
Language Name
Zaiwa
User Population
30,000 in Myanmar (1997).
Map
Location: Yunnan province: Dehong Dai-Jingpo autonomous prefecture, Bangwa, Longchuan, Luxi, Ruili, and Yingjiang counties.
Size and Vitality
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