Nuosu
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A language of China
2,000,000 (2000 census), increasing. 1,200,000 monolinguals (Jiafa 1994).
Sichuan and Yunnan provinces: over 40 counties mainly in Greater and Lesser Liangshan mountains.
4 (Educational). Language of recognized nationality: Yi.
Northern Shypnra (Lindimu, Senza, Shengzha, Yynuo), Southern Shypnra (Adu, Songdi, Suodi, Suondi). Chinese linguists recognize 3 primary dialects: Shengzha (standard), Northern (Lindimu-Yinuo), and Southern (Adur-Suondi) (Bradley 2007b). Some dialects, such as Lindimu, are likely distinct languages.
Literacy rate in L1: Moderate in central Liangshan. Low elsewhere. Literacy rate in L2: Moderate. Nearly all literate Nuosu are literate in Chinese; some are also literate in Nuosu. Written Nuosu is used in rituals by priest-shamans in every community. Some educated Nuosu use standardized syllabary in academic contexts. The culture is orally oriented so most would not think of writing a letter or a set of procedures in Nuosu, nor would they think of reading written instructions. The educated prefer to write in Chinese for these tasks. Taught as subject in primary schools. Literature. Newspapers. Periodicals. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 2005–2009.
When applied to the Nuosu, terms Black Yi (Hei Yi) and White Yi (Bai Yi) refer to caste distinctions rather than to ethnic or linguistic distinctions. However, the same terms often do refer to ethnic and linguistic distinctions when applied to Yi groups in Yunnan. Also, some outsiders refer to Nuosu as Black Yi. Traditional religion, Christian.