Amis

A language of Taiwan

Ami, Amia, Bakurut, Lam-Si-Hoan, Maran, Pagcah, Pangcah, Pangtsah, Sabari, Tanah

Autonym

Amis

User Population

108,000 (2015 CIP). Ethnic population: 214,000 (2020 CIP).

Location

Hualien and Taitung counties: valley plains and east coast.

Language Status

6b* (Threatened).

Classification

Austronesian, East Formosan, Central

Dialects

Central Amis (Haian Ami, Hsiukulan Ami), Tavalong-Vataan (Kuangfu, Kwangfu, Mataian, Taibalang-Mataian, Taibawang-Mataian), Southern Amis (Hengch’un Amis, Peinan, Taitung), Chengkung-Kwangshan (Chengkun-Guangshan), Northern Amis (Nanshi Amis). Chengkung-Kwangshan dialect is most similar to Central Amis dialect.

Typology

VOS, VSO; 2 noun classes (common, person); case-marking (3 cases); inclusive/exclusive pronouns; TAM marked on verb.

Language Use

Also use Japanese [jpn]. Also use Mandarin Chinese [cmn]. Used as L2 by Kavalan [ckv].

Language Development

Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1997.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Amis

Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Traditionally matrilineal. Many migrating to cities and industrial areas.