Page Type: languageNusu | Ethnologue

NUF ISO 639-3

Nusu

A language of China

ISO 639
nuf
Population
12,000 in China (Bradley 2007b). 2,000 Northern Nusu; 4,000 Southern; 6,000 Central. 1,000 monolinguals. Total users in all countries: 12,670.
Location:
Yunnan province: Nujiang Lisu autonomous prefecture, southern Fugong county, Pihe town area. Kongtong, Wawa, and Youduoluo villages (Northern Nusu); Guoke, Jiajiu, Puluo, and Tuoping (Tongping) villages (Southern Nusu); Laomudeng, Miangu, Shawa, Zhiziluo, and Zileng villages (Central Nusu).
Language Status
6a (Vigorous). Language of recognized nationality: Nu.
Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Ngwi-Burmese, Ngwi, Central
Dialects
Other dialect speakers comprehend the prestige dialect Miangu (Central Nusu, Miangu, Laomudeng) fairly well.
Typology
SOV; grammatical relations indicated mainly by word order and particles; tonal, 4 tones with relatively complex sandhi; loans from Lisu, Chinese, and a few from Burmese.
Language Use
Vigorous. All domains. Used by all. Mixed attitudes. Intellectuals want to preserve it. Most also use Lisu [lis].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 68% literate in any language (2000 census, Nu nationality). Literature. Bible portions: 2010.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Nusu
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
Officially classified within Nu nationality along with Ayi, Anong, 1,500 Zauzou, and 5,500 Drung. Traditional religion.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Nusu
User Population
670 in Myanmar (2011), decreasing. No monolinguals. Ethnic population: 1,500 (2011).
Location
Kachin state: Myitkyina district, Chipwi, and Hsawlaw townships, about 22 villages.
Dialects
Northern Nusu (Wawa, Yuoduoluo), Central Nusu (Miangu/Laomudeng), Southern Nusu (Puluo, Tuoping).
Language Status
6b (Threatened)
Other Comments
Christian.
View other languages of Myanmar

Map

Location: Yunnan province: Nujiang Lisu autonomous prefecture, southern Fugong county, Pihe town area. Kongtong, Wawa, and Youduoluo villages (Northern Nusu); Guoke, Jiajiu, Puluo, and Tuoping (Tongping) villages (Southern Nusu); Laomudeng, Miangu, Shawa, Zhiziluo, and Zileng villages (Central Nusu).