Page Type: languageNanai | Ethnologue

GLD ISO 639-3

Nanai

Нанай‎ (Nanaj) Autonym

A language of Russian Federation

ISO 639
gld
Alternate Names
Gold, Goldi, Heche, Hezhe, Hezhen, Nanaj
Autonym
Нанай‎ (Nanaj)
Population
1,350 in Russian Federation (2010 census). Ethnic population: 12,000 (2010 census). Total users in all countries: 1,390.
Location:
Khabarovskiy Kray: extreme far east, confluence of Amur and Ussuri rivers, scattered in Ussuri valley, Sikhote-Alin, centered in Amur valley below.
Language Status
8a (Moribund).
Classification
Tungusic, Southern, Southeast, Nanaj
Dialects
Sunggari, Torgon, Kuro-Urmi, Ussuri, Akani, Birar, Kila, Samagir. Quite distinct dialects.
Language Use
Severely endangered. Older adults only. Mixed attitudes, from negative to mildly positive. Motivated to use Russian [rus]. Those under 40 consider Nanai unhelpful in life. Older generation pessimistic about possibility of preservation. Shifted to Russian [rus]. Some also use Mandarin Chinese [cmn], especially elderly.
Language Development
Literature. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible portions: 1884–2002.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Nanai
Writing
Cyrillic script [Cyrl].
Other Comments
Traditional religion.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Nanai
User Population
40 in China (Salminen 2007). About half speak Sungari dialect, half speak Nanai proper (Salminen 2007). Ethnic population: 5,350 (2010 census).
Location
Northeast corner of Heilongjiang Province, near merge of Heilong, Songhua, and Wusuli rivers, Tongjiang county, Bacha and Jiejinkou villages; Raohe county, Sipai village.
Dialects
Qileng (Kilen, Kili, Kirin, Qile’en), Sungari.
Language Status
8b (Nearly extinct)
Other Comments
Non-indigenous. Formerly called Sushen. Traditional religion, Buddhist.
View other languages of China

Map

Location: Khabarovskiy Kray: extreme far east, confluence of Amur and Ussuri rivers, scattered in Ussuri valley, Sikhote-Alin, centered in Amur valley below.