Nisu, Eastern

A language of China

ISO 639: nos
Alternate Names: Nisu, Nisupho, Shiping-Jianshui Nisu, Shiping-Jianshui Yi
Population: 75,000 (2004), decreasing.
Location:: Yunnan Province, Jianshui, Tonghai, Gejiu, Kaiyuan, Mengzi, Pingbian, and Hekou counties.
Language Status: 6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality: Yi.
Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Ngwi-Burmese, Ngwi, Southeastern
Language Use: Language is active in areas with high concentrations of Nisu. Language use higher for older people, women, uneducated men, or villages further removed from main roads. Nisu living in cities or counties are generally Sinicized. Many parents teach their children the Chinese local dialect as L1 so they can do well in school. There is increasing borrowing of lexical items from Chinese. Code switching between Nisu and Chinese is common. Many men and women spend part of the year working in predominantly Chinese towns or cities. Home, in the fields, with village friends and relatives. Some of all ages. Neutral attitudes. Also use Mandarin Chinese [cmn], a local dialect, spoken with outsiders, non-Nisu government officials, non-Nisu markets, or elementary school teachers. Also use Northern Nisu [yiv], which village children eventually learn. Used as L2 by Hlersu [hle], Northern Nisu [yiv].
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Nisu, Eastern
Writing: Yi script [Yiii], traditional, limited usage.
Other Comments: Traditional religion.

Location: Yunnan Province, Jianshui, Tonghai, Gejiu, Kaiyuan, Mengzi, Pingbian, and Hekou counties.