Samatao

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A language of China

ISO 639-3
ysd
Alternate Names
Samadu, Samaduo, Samou
User Population

400 (2007), decreasing. Ethnic population: 2,810 (Bradley 2007b).

Location

Yunnan province: Guandu district, Kunming municipality, Zijun; elderly speakers in Yongde and Zhenkang.

Language Maps
Language Status

8a (Moribund). Language of recognized nationality: Yi.

Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Ngwi-Burmese, Ngwi, Northern
Dialects

None known. Similar to Samei [smh] and Sanie [ysy], but not mutually intelligible (Bradley 2007a).

Language Use

Older adults only. No fluent speakers under 50 (Bradley 2007a). Shifted to Mandarin Chinese [cmn].

Language Development

Some language heritage activities underway in the village school (Bradley 2007a).

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Samatao
Writing

Yi script [Yiii], experimental use in the late 1990’s.