Page Type: languageZhuang, Nong | Ethnologue

ZHN ISO 639-3

Zhuang, Nong

kauq Daez, kauq Noangz Autonym

A language of China

ISO 639
zhn
Alternate Names
Daez, Kau Nong, Khau Nong, Noangx, Nong hua, Phu Nong, Phu Tei, Tei Nong, Yan-Guang Southern Zhuang, Zhuangyu Nanbu fanyan Yan-Guang tuyu, puj Daez, puj Noangz, puj Nuangz
Autonym
kauq Daez, kauq Noangz
Population
500,000 (Wang and Johnson 2008). 125,000 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 600,000 (2007).
Location:
Yunnan province: Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central and west Guangnan, Maguan, Malipo, north Wenshan, Xichou, and east Yanshan counties; a few in Funing and Qiubei counties.
Language Status
3 (Wider communication). Language of recognized nationality: Zhuang.
Classification
Kra-Dai, Kam-Tai, Tai, Central
Dialects
Western Guangnan, Liancheng, Central Zhuang, Southern Zhuang. Reportedly most similar Tày [tyz], and Min Zhuang [zgm]. Some Tày dialects near Viet Nam-Yunnan border reportedly mutually intelligible. Nong Dialects mutually intelligible for simple topics. Not intelligible of Dai Zhuang [zhd], Min Zhuang [zgm], Yang Zhuang [zyg], Guibian Zhuang [zgn], or Qiubei Zhuang [zqe]. Lexical similarity: over 70% with Nong, Yang [zyg], Yongnan [zyn], and Zuojiang [zzj]; about 67% with Dai [zhd]; 54% with Yongbei Zhuang [zyb]. A member of macrolanguage Zhuang [zha].
Typology
SVO; modifiers follow nouns, directional verbs precede objects; phonemic distinction between aspirated, unaspirated voiceless, and preglottalized voiced plosives; 6 tones on unchecked, 3–4 on checked syllables.
Language Use
Vigorous. All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Most also use Mandarin Chinese [cmn]. Used as L2 by Bugan [bbh], Dai Zhuang [zhd], Guibian Zhuang [zgn], Lachi [lbt], Qabiao [laq], Thopho [ytp], Zokhuo [yzk].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: A few teachers and linguists can read the recent Yunnan government approved experimental orthography. Literacy rate in L2: Rapidly increasing due to free education begun in 2008, including women and girls. In 2011, 300 Nong 7th graders received a few hours of Nong instruction. Taught in primary schools, pilot projects. Radio. Texts.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Zhuang, Nong
Writing
Han (Hanzi, Kanji, Hanja) script [Hani], dating from Han dynasty, mainly used in non-official domains, gaining popularity. Latin script [Latn], used in 1984–1990s and from 2006, experimental use in education and official publications.
Other Comments
Over half the Nong live in Guangnan and Yanshan counties. Nong represent a majority of Zhuang in all their counties except for Funing and Qiubei, where mostly northern Taic Zhuang languages are spoken. Traditional religion.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Yunnan province: Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central and west Guangnan, Maguan, Malipo, north Wenshan, Xichou, and east Yanshan counties; a few in Funing and Qiubei counties.