Page Type: languageBouyei | Ethnologue

PCC ISO 639-3

Bouyei

A language of China

ISO 639
pcc
Alternate Names
Bo-I, Bui, Buyei, Buyi, Buyui, Chung-Chia, Dioi, Giay, Pu-I, Pu-Jui, Pui, Pujai, Puyi, Puyoi, Shuihu, Tujia, Yay, Zhongjia
Population
2,970,000 in China (Shearer and Sun 2017). Total users in all countries: 3,043,740.
Location:
Guizhou province: Buyi-Miao and Miao-Dong autonomous prefectures, Guanling and Zhenning counties on Guizhou-Yunnan plateau; Sichuan province: Huidong and Ningnan counties; Yunnan province: Luoping county.
Language Status
5 (Developing). Language of recognized nationality: Bouyei.
Classification
Kra-Dai, Kam-Tai, Tai, Northern
Dialects
Qiannan (Bouyei 1, Southern Guizhou), Qianzhong (Bouyei 2, Central Guizhou), Qianxi (Bouyei 3, Western Guizhou).
Typology
SVO; modifiers follow heads; highly monosyllabic; tonal, 6 tone categories in open syllables and 4 in closed syllables.
Language Use
Vigorous. Rare oral use in local administration, commerce, education. Used by all. Also use Mandarin Chinese [cmn]. Also use Sui [swi]. Used as L2 by Bu-Nao Bunu [bwx], Mak [mkg], T’en [tct].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: Very low. Literacy rate in L2: 76% (2000 census). Literature. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible portions: 1904.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Bouyei
Writing
Han (Hanzi, Kanji, Hanja) script [Hani], dating from late Ming/early Qing dynasty, limited use in ritual texts and folk literature. Latin script [Latn], experimental, small-scale use in education and literature in China.
Other Comments
Quinnan hua (Quinnan speech) also refers to a dialect of southwestern Mandarin spoken in Guizhou, and should not be confused with the Qiannan Bouyei dialect. Traditional religion, Buddhist, Daoist.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Yang
User Population
5,840 in Laos (2015 census). , based on ethnicity.
Location
Luang Namtha province: Vieng Poukha district, Nam Fa; Nale district, Nam Huay; Oudomxai province: Beng district, Khone; Namo district, Ay, Sonsavath, Ponxay Savan Namo Neua; Xay district, Long Ya; Phongsali province: Khua district, Mone Savanh, Hat Xeui; Gnot Ou district, Xum Kham, Tha; Boun Tai district, Na Mak, Na Tene, Vieng Xai, Long Nam, Long Nay Khao; Boun Neua district, Muong Xou.
Language Status
6a (Vigorous)
Other Comments
Non-indigenous. Buddhist, traditional religion.
View other languages of Laos
Language Name
Giáy
User Population
67,900 in Viet Nam (2019 census). , based on ethnicity.
Location
Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Cao Bang, Ha Giang, and Lai Chau provinces.
Dialects
Tu-Dí, Nhang, Pú Nà.
Language Status
6b (Threatened)
Other Comments
Giáy and Bo Y are both official ethnic communities. Traditional religion, Daoist.
View other languages of Vietnam

Map

Location: Guizhou province: Buyi-Miao and Miao-Dong autonomous prefectures, Guanling and Zhenning counties on Guizhou-Yunnan plateau; Sichuan province: Huidong and Ningnan counties; Yunnan province: Luoping county.