Baima

A language of China

ISO 639: bqh
Alternate Names: Bai Ma, Pe, To Pu
Population: 10,000 (Bradley 2007a). Older adults and a few middle aged are monolingual. Ethnic population: 14,000 (Bradley 2007b).
Location:: Gansu province: Wenxian county; Sichuan province: Jiuzhaigou, Pingwu, and Songpan counties.
Language Status: 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality: Tibetan.
Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Northeastern Tibeto-Burman, Baima
Dialects: Southern Baima (Pingwu Baima), Northern Baima (Wen Baima, Wenxian Baima), Western Baima (Jiuzhaigou Baima, Songpan Baima).
Typology: SOV; initial consonant clusters; no consonantal codas; mostly monosyllabic morphemes; loans from Chinese and Tibetan; tonal, 4 tones.
Language Use: Vigorous among adults in Pingwu and Jiuzhaigou counties. All domains. Some young people, all adults. Neutral attitudes. Also use Amdo Tibetan [adx]. Also use Mandarin Chinese [cmn].
Language Development: Schools use Chinese. Dictionary.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Baima
Writing: Unwritten [Qaax].
Other Comments: The Baima clan has a distinct ethnic identity from other Tibetans. Classified Tibetan, though some scholars consider it in the Tibeto-Burman language family, Qiangic subgroup. Traditional religion.

Location: Gansu province: Wenxian county; Sichuan province: Jiuzhaigou, Pingwu, and Songpan counties.