Baima

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A language of China

ISO 639-3
bqh
Alternate Names
Bai Ma, Pe, To Pu
User Population

10,000 (Bradley 2007a). Older adults and a few middle aged are monolingual. Ethnic population: 14,000 (Bradley 2007b).

Location

Gansu province: Wenxian county; Sichuan province: Jiuzhaigou, Pingwu, and Songpan counties.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality: Tibetan.

Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Northeastern Tibeto-Burman, Baima
Dialects

Southern Baima (Pingwu Baima), Northern Baima (Wen Baima, Wenxian Baima), Western Baima (Jiuzhaigou Baima, Songpan Baima).

Typology

SOV; initial consonant clusters; no consonantal codas; mostly monosyllabic morphemes; loans from Chinese and Tibetan; tonal, 4 tones.

Language Use

Vigorous among adults in Pingwu and Jiuzhaigou counties. All domains. Some young people, all adults. Neutral attitudes. Also use Amdo Tibetan [adx]. Also use Mandarin Chinese [cmn].

Language Development

Schools use Chinese. Dictionary.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Baima
Writing

Unwritten [Qaax].

Other Comments

The Baima clan has a distinct ethnic identity from other Tibetans. Classified Tibetan, though some scholars consider it in the Tibeto-Burman language family, Qiangic subgroup. Traditional religion.