Page Type: languageNamuyi | Ethnologue

NMY ISO 639-3

Namuyi

A language of China

ISO 639
nmy
Alternate Names
Naimuci, Naimuzi, Namuzi
Population
5,000 (Bradley 2007a). 200 monolinguals. Mainly older adults. Ethnic population: 5,000 (Bradley 2007b).
Location:
Sichuan Province, Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture, Mianning, Muli, Xichang, and Yanyuan counties; southwest Sichuan, Ganzi (Garzê) Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Jiulong (Gyaisi) county.
Language Status
6a (Vigorous). Language of recognized nationality: Tibetan.
Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Northeastern Tibeto-Burman, Naic
Dialects
Eastern Namuyi, Western Namuyi. Low intelligibility between dialects, with lexical and phonological differences.
Typology
SOV; adjectives and number-classifier constructions follow noun heads; compounding; affixation; consonant cluster onsets but no consonantal codas; tense-lax vowel distinction; nasalized and retroflexed vowels; tonal, 4 tones.
Language Use
Vigorous. All domains. Used by all. Adults born before 1955 use Namuyi with each other. Younger people appear to know Namuyi well, but prefer to converse in Nuosu [iii] or Chinese. Positive attitudes. Some also use Lipo [lpo]. Some also use Mandarin Chinese [cmn]. Some also use Northern Pumi [pmi]. Also use Central Tibetan [bod]. Also use Ersu [ers].
Language Development
Generally better educated than Yi or Tibetan peoples. Dictionary. Grammar.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Namuyi
Writing
Unwritten [Qaax].
Other Comments
Traditional religion, Buddhist, Daoist.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Sichuan Province, Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture, Mianning, Muli, Xichang, and Yanyuan counties; southwest Sichuan, Ganzi (Garzê) Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Jiulong (Gyaisi) county.