Northern Tai languages
Encyclopedia
The Northern Tai or Northern Zhuang languages are an established branch of the Tai languages
of Southeast Asia
. They include the northern Zhuang languages of China, such as Bouyei
.
includes the following languages.
See Zhuang varieties.
Also included are Yoy, which elsewhere is classified as Southwestern Tai, and E
, which appears to be a mixed language
on a Northern-Thai base.
Pittayaporn (2009:300) reconstructs a similar group of Zhuang varieties, group "N", defined by the phonological shifts *ɯj, *ɯw → *aj, *aw. He moves the prestige dialect
of Zhuang, Wuming, from the Northern Tai Yongbei Zhuang to Yongnan Zhuang (purportedly Central Tai). The various languages and localities Pittayaporn includes in group N, along with their Ethnologue equivalents, are:
Tai languages
The Tai or Zhuang–Tai languages are a branch of the Tai–Kadai language family. The Tai languages include the most widely spoken of the Tai–Kadai languages, including standard Thai or Siamese, the national language of Thailand; Lao or Laotian, the national language of Laos; Burma's Shan language;...
of Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
. They include the northern Zhuang languages of China, such as Bouyei
Bouyei language
The Bouyei language , is a language spoken by the Bouyei ethnic group of southern Guizhou Province in mainland China...
.
Languages
EthnologueEthnologue
Ethnologue: Languages of the World is a web and print publication of SIL International , a Christian linguistic service organization, which studies lesser-known languages, to provide the speakers with Bibles in their native language and support their efforts in language development.The Ethnologue...
includes the following languages.
- SaekSaek languageSaek is a Tai language spoken in at least ten villages in Khammouane Province, Laos, and at least four villages in Nakhon Phanom Province in northeastern Thailand, just across the Mekong River...
(Laos and northeast ThailandIsanIsan is the northeastern region of Thailand. It is located on the Khorat Plateau, bordered by the Mekong River to the north and east, by Cambodia to the southeast and the Prachinburi mountains south of Nakhon Ratchasima...
) - Tai Mène (Laos; similar to Saek)
- BouyeiBouyei languageThe Bouyei language , is a language spoken by the Bouyei ethnic group of southern Guizhou Province in mainland China...
(Buyi) (China) (incl. YayGiay peopleThe Giáy are an ethnic group in Vietnam who speak the Buyei language. Most live in the Lào Cai, Hà Giang, Lai Châu, and Cao Bằng provinces of northern Vietnam. In 1999 the population was 49,098....
of Vietnam) - Central Hongshuihe Zhuang
- Eastern Hongshuihe Zhuang
- Guibei Zhuang
- Guibian Zhuang
- Lianshan Zhuang
- Liujiang Zhuang
- Liuqian Zhuang
- Qiubei Zhuang
- Yongbei Zhuang
- Youjiang Zhuang
See Zhuang varieties.
Also included are Yoy, which elsewhere is classified as Southwestern Tai, and E
E language
E is a Tai–Chinese mixed language. It is spoken by about 30000 people, most of whom are classified as Zhuang by the Chinese government, living in the villages of Yongle and Sanfang Districts, Rongshui Miao Autonomous County, Guangxi....
, which appears to be a mixed language
Mixed language
A mixed language is a language that arises through the fusion of two source languages, normally in situations of thorough bilingualism, so that it is not possible to classify the resulting language as belonging to either of the language families that were its source...
on a Northern-Thai base.
Pittayaporn (2009:300) reconstructs a similar group of Zhuang varieties, group "N", defined by the phonological shifts *ɯj, *ɯw → *aj, *aw. He moves the prestige dialect
Prestige dialect
In sociolinguistics, prestige describes the level of respect accorded to a language or dialect as compared to that of other languages or dialects in a speech community. The concept of prestige in sociolinguistics is closely related to that of prestige or class within a society...
of Zhuang, Wuming, from the Northern Tai Yongbei Zhuang to Yongnan Zhuang (purportedly Central Tai). The various languages and localities Pittayaporn includes in group N, along with their Ethnologue equivalents, are:
- SaekSaek languageSaek is a Tai language spoken in at least ten villages in Khammouane Province, Laos, and at least four villages in Nakhon Phanom Province in northeastern Thailand, just across the Mekong River...
- Bouyei 布依 (incl. YayGiay peopleThe Giáy are an ethnic group in Vietnam who speak the Buyei language. Most live in the Lào Cai, Hà Giang, Lai Châu, and Cao Bằng provinces of northern Vietnam. In 1999 the population was 49,098....
of Vietnam) - Po-ai 剥隘
- (Wenshan PrefectureWenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous PrefectureWenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture is an autonomous prefecture in Yunnan Province, China.-Subdivisions:-Ethnic groups:Wenshan is highly diverse...
, YunnanYunnanYunnan is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the far southwest of the country spanning approximately and with a population of 45.7 million . The capital of the province is Kunming. The province borders Burma, Laos, and Vietnam.Yunnan is situated in a mountainous area, with...
)- GuangnanGuangnan CountyGuangnan County is located in Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan province, China.-Climate:-Historical sites:Grave of Princess Anhua...
Sha 广南沙族 = Guibian Zhuang (north Guangnan; south Guangnan is Nong ZhuangTai languagesThe Tai or Zhuang–Tai languages are a branch of the Tai–Kadai language family. The Tai languages include the most widely spoken of the Tai–Kadai languages, including standard Thai or Siamese, the national language of Thailand; Lao or Laotian, the national language of Laos; Burma's Shan language;...
) - QiubeiQiubei CountyQiubei County is located in Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan province, China.-External links:*...
丘北县 = Qiubei Zhuang
- Guangnan
- (Baise Prefecture, GuangxiGuangxiGuangxi, formerly romanized Kwangsi, is a province of southern China along its border with Vietnam. In 1958, it became the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, a region with special privileges created specifically for the Zhuang people.Guangxi's location, in...
)- LingyunLingyun CountyLingyun County is a county of Guangxi, China. It is under the administration of Baise city....
凌乐/凌云县 = Guibian Zhuang - PingguoPingguo CountyPingguo County is a county of Guangxi, China. It is under the administration of Baise city.Pingguo Industry Park hosts an important part of China’s aluminum industry....
平果县 = Yongbei Zhuang - TiandongTiandong CountyTiandong County is a county of Guangxi, China. It is under the administration of Baise city....
田东县 = Youjiang Zhuang - TianlinTianlin CountyTianlin County is a county of Guangxi, China. It is under the administration of Baise city....
田林县 = Guibian Zhuang
- Lingyun
- (NanningNanningNanning is the capital of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China. It is known as the "Green City" because of its abundance of lush tropical foliage.-History:...
Prefecture, GuangxiGuangxiGuangxi, formerly romanized Kwangsi, is a province of southern China along its border with Vietnam. In 1958, it became the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, a region with special privileges created specifically for the Zhuang people.Guangxi's location, in...
)- HengxianHeng CountyHeng County is a county of Guangxi, China. It is under the administration of Nanning city....
横县 = Yongbei Zhuang - ShanglinShanglin CountyShanglin County is a county of Guangxi, China. It is under the administration of Nanning city....
上林县 = Hongshuihe Zhuang - Yongbei 邕北 = Yongbei Zhuang
- Hengxian
- (GuigangGuigangGuigang is a prefecture-level city in China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.-Geography and climate:Guigang is located in central Guangxi province. It is located between Guangxi's five major cities, Nanning, Guilin, Liuzhou, Beihai, and Wuzhou. Its location makes it a major transportation and...
Prefecture, GuangxiGuangxiGuangxi, formerly romanized Kwangsi, is a province of southern China along its border with Vietnam. In 1958, it became the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, a region with special privileges created specifically for the Zhuang people.Guangxi's location, in...
)- GuigangGuigangGuigang is a prefecture-level city in China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.-Geography and climate:Guigang is located in central Guangxi province. It is located between Guangxi's five major cities, Nanning, Guilin, Liuzhou, Beihai, and Wuzhou. Its location makes it a major transportation and...
贵港 City = Hongshuihe Zhuang ? - DulanPingnan County, GuangxiPingnan County, Guangxi is a county of Guangxi, China. It is under the administration of Guigang city....
独兰 Village, PingnanPingnan County, GuangxiPingnan County, Guangxi is a county of Guangxi, China. It is under the administration of Guigang city....
平南县
- Guigang
- LaibinLaibinLaibin is a prefecture-level city in the central part of China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.-Geography and climate:Laibin is located in central Guangxi province. The Hongshui River or Red River and Rongjiang, both tributaries of the Xijiang, meet in Laibin. Its area is 13,400 km²...
来宾 Prefecture, GuangxiGuangxiGuangxi, formerly romanized Kwangsi, is a province of southern China along its border with Vietnam. In 1958, it became the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, a region with special privileges created specifically for the Zhuang people.Guangxi's location, in...
= Hongshuihe Zhuang (south Laibin), Liujiang Zhuang (north Laibin) - (HechiHechi-Administration:Hechi has 1 urban district, 1 city, 4 counties, and 5 autonomous counties.City:*Yizhou Urban District:*Jinchengjiang District Counties:*Nandan County -Administration:Hechi has 1 urban district, 1 city, 4 counties, and 5 autonomous counties.City:*Yizhou (宜州市)Urban...
Prefecture, GuangxiGuangxiGuangxi, formerly romanized Kwangsi, is a province of southern China along its border with Vietnam. In 1958, it became the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, a region with special privileges created specifically for the Zhuang people.Guangxi's location, in...
)- HechiHechi-Administration:Hechi has 1 urban district, 1 city, 4 counties, and 5 autonomous counties.City:*Yizhou Urban District:*Jinchengjiang District Counties:*Nandan County -Administration:Hechi has 1 urban district, 1 city, 4 counties, and 5 autonomous counties.City:*Yizhou (宜州市)Urban...
City 河池 = Guibei Zhuang - HuanjiangHuanjiang Maonan Autonomous CountyHuanjiang Maonan Autonomous County is a county of Guangxi, China. It is under the administration of Hechi city....
环江 = Guibei Zhuang - NandanNandan CountyNandan County is a county in Hechi Prefecture, in northwest of Guangxi Province of China.Area: 3916 km2.Population: 276,000Postal Code: 547200.Telephone Area Code: 0778-External links:*...
南丹县 = Guibei Zhuang - YishanYizhouYizhou , formerly Yishan County , is a county-level city located in Hechi Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, in the southern part of the People's Republic of China....
宜州 = Liujiang Zhuang
- Hechi
- (LiuzhouLiuzhou-History:thumb|Liuchow in 1945.Liuzhou has a history of more than 2,100 years. The city was founded in 111 B.C. when it was known as Tanzhong....
Prefecture, GuangxiGuangxiGuangxi, formerly romanized Kwangsi, is a province of southern China along its border with Vietnam. In 1958, it became the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, a region with special privileges created specifically for the Zhuang people.Guangxi's location, in...
)- LiujiangLiujiang CountyLiujiang County is a county under the jurisdiction of Liuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China. It covers a land area of 2504 sq. kilometers and had a population of 540,000.-Administrative divisions:Liucheng consists of 11 towns....
柳江县 = Liujiang Zhuang - Rong’anRong'an CountyRong'an County is a county of Guangxi, China. It is under the administration of Liuzhou city....
融安县 = Guibei Zhuang
- Liujiang
- LongshengLongsheng Various Nationalities Autonomous CountyLongsheng Various Nationalities Autonomous County is a county of Guangxi, China. It is under the administration of Guilin city....
龙胜县, GuilinGuilinGuilin is a prefecture-level city in the northeast of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of far southern China, sitting on the west bank of the Li River. Its name means "forest of Sweet Osmanthus", owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city...
桂林, GuangxiGuangxiGuangxi, formerly romanized Kwangsi, is a province of southern China along its border with Vietnam. In 1958, it became the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, a region with special privileges created specifically for the Zhuang people.Guangxi's location, in...
= Guibei Zhuang - Dong’anDong'an CountyDong'an County is a county of Hunan, China. It is under the administration of Yongzhou city.-References:*...
东安县, YongzhouYongzhouYongzhou is a prefecture-level city in the Hunan province of China.YongZhou is located in the central and south of China, on the southern side of Xiang River, which is formed by the confluence of the Xiao and Xiang rivers. Yongzhou is one of the four ancient counties in Hunan; it is 2000 years old...
永州, HunanHunan' is a province of South-Central China, located to the south of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and south of Lake Dongting... - LianshanLianshan Zhuang and Yao Autonomous CountyLianshan Zhuang and Yao Autonomous County is located in Qingyuan prefecture-level city, Guangdong Province, in southern China.-History:...
连山县, Qingyuan 清远, GuangdongGuangdongGuangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...
= Lianshan Zhuang