Nanai

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A language of Russian Federation

Khabarovskiy Kray: extreme far east, confluence of Amur and Ussuri rivers, scattered in Ussuri valley, Sikhote-Alin, centered in Amur valley below.

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China

Language NameNanai

User Population

40 in China (Salminen 2007). About half speak Sungari dialect, half speak Nanai proper (Salminen 2007). Ethnic population: 5,350 (2010 census).

Location

Northeast corner of Heilongjiang Province, near merge of Heilong, Songhua, and Wusuli rivers, Tongjiang county, Bacha and Jiejinkou villages; Raohe county, Sipai village.

Alternate Names

Gold, Goldi, Hezhe, Hezhen, Juchen, Nanay, Sushen

Dialects

Qileng (Kilen, Kili, Kirin, Qile’en), Sungari.

Language Status

8b (Nearly extinct). Language of recognized nationality: Hezhe.

Language Use

Religion. Elderly only. Negative attitudes. People have lost hope that it will survive. All shifted to Mandarin Chinese [cmn].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 97% (2000 census, Hezhe nationality).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Formerly called Sushen. Traditional religion, Buddhist.

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Nanai

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A language of Russian Federation

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