Bisu language
| Bisu | |
|---|---|
| Native to | Thailand, China |
| Ethnicity | 700 in Thailand (2007)[1] |
Native speakers | 240 in China (2005)[1] |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | bzi |
| Glottolog | bisu1244 |
| ELP | Bisu |
Bisu (Chinese: 毕苏语) is a Loloish language of Thailand, with a couple thousand speakers in China. Varieties are Bisu proper (Mbisu) and Laomian (Guba), considered by Pelkey to be distinct languages.
The Laomian are classified within the Lahu ethnic group; the Lahu proper call them the "Lawmeh" (Bradley 2007).
Distribution
According to Bisuyu Yanjiu 毕苏语研究 (2002), there are over 5,000 Bisu speakers in Yunnan, China, and a total of nearly 10,000 Bisu speakers in all countries combined. Within Yunnan, it is spoken mostly in Pu'er Prefecture, as well as neighboring parts of Xishuangbanna.
- Lancang County 澜沧县
- Zhutang 竹塘乡
- Dazhai 大寨, Laomian 老面[2] (see Laomian language)
- Laba 拉巴乡
- Donglang 东朗乡
- Fubang 富邦乡
- Zhutang 竹塘乡
- Menghai County 勐海县
- Mengzhe 勐遮乡
- Laopinzhai 老品寨[3] (see Laopin language)
- Mengzhe 勐遮乡
- Ximeng County 西盟县
- Lisuo 力锁乡
- Menglian County 孟连县
- Nanya 南雅乡
In Thailand, two dialects of Bisu are spoken in the following villages of Phan District, Phayao Province (Bisuyu Yanjiu 2002:152).
- Dialect 1: Huai Chomphu village (also called Ban Huaisan) and Doi Pui village
- Dialect 2: Phadaeng village
Another variety of Bisu differing from the Phayao variety is spoken in Takɔ (Ban Thako), Mae Suai District, Chiang Rai Province.
References
- Bradley, David (2007). "Language Endangerment in China and Mainland Southeast Asia". In Matthias Brenzinger, ed. Language diversity endangered. New York: Mouton de Gruyter.