Page Type: languageErsu | Ethnologue

ERS ISO 639-3

Ersu

A language of China

ISO 639
ers
Alternate Names
Bu’erci, Bu’erzi, Bu’erzi Ersu, Doxu, Duoxu, Erhsu, Lizu, Lusu, T’osu
Population
20,000 (Shearer and Sun 2002), decreasing. Eastern Ersu (Ersu) 13,000, Central Ersu (Duoxu) 10 or less, Western Ersu (Lizu) 4,000.
Location:
Sichuan province: Ganzi Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Jiulong county; Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture, Ganluo, Mianning, Muli and Yuexi counties; Ya’an prefecture, Hanyuan and Shimian counties; all on lower Dadu river dispersed among Chinese, Tibetan, and Yi peoples.
Language Status
7 (Shifting). Language of recognized nationality: Tibetan.
Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Northeastern Tibeto-Burman, Ersuish
Dialects
Ersu (Eastern Ersu), Duoxu (Central Ersu), Lisu (Liru, Lüzü, Western Ersu).
Typology
SOV; adjectives and number-classifier constructions follow noun heads; consonant cluster onsets; most morphemes monosyllabic; 2 tones, word-template zone.
Language Use
Decreasing from language attrition. Adults only. Neutral attitudes. Shifting to Mandarin Chinese [cmn]. A few also use Lipo [lpo]. Used as L2 by Namuyi [nmy].
Language Development
About 10 people can read the Shaba script. Videos. Grammar. Texts.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Ersu
Writing
Ersu Shaba Picture Writing [Qaag], used until some time before 2003, limited usage, used in religious ceremonies.
Other Comments
Traditional religion.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Sichuan province: Ganzi Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Jiulong county; Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture, Ganluo, Mianning, Muli and Yuexi counties; Ya’an prefecture, Hanyuan and Shimian counties; all on lower Dadu river dispersed among Chinese, Tibetan, and Yi peoples.