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Nisoish languages

The Nisoish or Yi languages, which contains both the Northern Loloish (Northern Ngwi) and Southeastern Loloish (Southeastern Ngwi) branches, are a branch of the Loloish languages proposed by Lama (2012). Northern Loloish and Southeastern Loloish were established by Bradley (1997), while the Nisoish group combining Bradley's two branches was proposed by Ziwo Lama (2012). Lama (2012) refers to Northern Loloish as Nisoid or Nisu–Lope, and Southeastern Loloish as Axi–Puoid.

Classification history

In the past, Southeastern Loloish languages had variously been classified as Northern Loloish or Central Loloish, but were later recognized as forming a separate branch of Loloish by Bradley (2002). Jamin Pelkey (2011:368-371) also noted that Southeastern Loloish and Northern Loloish branches are likely to be sister branches with each other. Shortly later, Ziwo Lama's (2012) computational phylogenetic analysis of the Lolo-Burmese languages gave further support to Pelkey's hypothesis. Northern Loloish and Southeastern Loloish languages were also found to constitute a single branch in Satterthwaite-Phillips' (2011) computational phylogenetic analysis of the Lolo-Burmese languages, who considers Nasu, Nosu, Nisu, and Samei as belonging to the same branch.

Languages

Lama (2012)'s Nisoish branch is contains two subgroups, namely Axi–Puoid (also known as Southeastern Loloish) and Nisoid (also known as Northern Loloish). Lama (2012) gives the following internal phylogeny for the Nisoish branch.

Four of the six Yi languages (fangyan 方言) officially recognized by the Chinese government belong to Lama's Nisoish clade.

  • Northern Yi (Nuosu 诺苏)
  • Eastern Yi (Nasu 纳苏)
  • Southern Yi (Nisu 尼苏)
  • Southeastern Yi (Sani 撒尼)

However, the remaining two of the six officially recognized Yi languages belong to Lama's Lisoish clade.

  • Western Yi (Lalo 腊罗)
  • Central Yi (Lolopo 倮倮泼)

Phonological innovations

Lama (2012) lists the following changes from Proto-Loloish as phonological innovations among various branches and languages of Nisoish.

  • *NC- > (Nasu and Gepu)
  • *s- > (Zuoke and Polo)
  • *xl- > (Sani, Axi, Azhe, Azha)
  • *plh- > (Nisoid)
  • *ŋg- > (Nisoid)

Demographics and varieties

Wang (2003)

Yiyu Fangyan Bijiao Yanjiu (彝语方言比较研究) by Wang Chengyou (王成有) (2003) gives phonological inventories for Yi (Nisoish) languages spoken in the following locations.

  1. Miyajing, Sanhe, Nanhua County 南华县三河底米丫井村
  2. Zhuangke, Zhuangke, Yao'an County 姚安县庄科乡庄科村
  3. Langzhe, Yunshan, Yongsheng County 永胜县云山乡朗者村
  4. Lang'e, Lang'e, Yongsheng County 永胜县莨莪乡茛莪村
  5. Zhijuxiao, Zhonghe, Yongren County 永仁县中和乡直苴小村
  6. Hongmai, Lijiang 丽江红麦; Tanglang language 堂郎语
  7. Huazhuqing, Xin'an, Mojiang County 思茅地区墨江县新安乡滑竹箐
  8. Hemezha, Digengzuo, Buqi, Tanhua, Dayao County 大姚县昙华乡补期地耕作黑么鲊村
  9. Aiguo, Yangjiang, Weishan County 巍山县漾江农场爱国村
  10. Sanjia, Chongfeng, Weishan County 巍山县冲锋乡三家村
  11. Lewuju, Wule, Nanjian County 南涧县五乐乡五具村
  12. Yanzijiao, Guanting, Jingxing, Mojiang County 思茅地区墨江县景星乡官厅岩子脚村
  13. Xiaoguangshan, Baoxiu, Shiping County 红河州石屏县宝秀乡小光山村
  14. Zuoluo, Honghe County 红河州红河县座落村
  15. Zhuyuan, Zhuyuan, Laochang District, Xinping County 新平县老厂区竹园乡竹园村
  16. Suomili, Laowudou, Xinping County 新平县老五斗乡梭咪里村
  17. Washaozong, Tadian, Eshan County 峨山县塔甸乡瓦哨宗村
  18. Suxiong, Ganluo County 凉山州甘洛县苏雄乡
  19. Laodashu, 2nd Township, Huili County 凉山州会理县第二乡老大树
  20. Lizi, Hongma, Xide County 凉山州喜德县红玛乡李子村
  21. Damaichong (upper village), Hejia, Liangshan, Yuanmou County 元谋县凉山乡何家村大麦冲上队
  22. Daxingzhai, Wenshan County 文山县大兴寨; Zuoke language 坐柯
  23. Huangzhai (small village), Gaodeng, Wenshan County 文山县高登乡村公所荒寨小队; Azhapu language 阿扎仆
  24. Longshu, Qiubei County 丘北县龙树村; Axi Touruo language 阿细拖若
  25. Anwang, Guangnan County 广南县安王村; Flowery Lolo 花倮
  26. Long'an, Funing County 富宁县龙安; White Lolo 白倮
  27. Musang, Funing County 富宁县木桑村; Black Lolo 黑倮
  28. Sayingpan, Luquan, Kunming City 昆明市禄劝撒营盘
  29. Banaji, Wuding County 武定县罢纳吉村
  30. Chijiabi, Biji, Xishan, Kunming City 昆明市西山区碧鸡乡赤甲碧村
  31. 2nd Village, Wafei, 5th District, Zhenxiong County 镇雄县五区娃飞乡二村
  32. Laolin, Yanshan District, Zhaotong County 昭通县盐山区老林乡
  33. Jingdi, Sayu, Zhaotong County 昭通县洒渔乡井底村
  34. Longjie, 9th Township, Weining County 威宁县九乡龙街
  35. Dafang County 大方县
  36. Pan County 盘县
  37. De'e, Longlin County 隆林县德峨
  38. Axi 阿细: Xiaolongpu, Huakou, Xishan, Mile County 弥勒县西三镇花口村公所小龙铺村
  39. Azhe 阿哲: Zhongzhai, Wushan, Mile County 弥勒县五山中寨村
  40. Gupo 古泼: Songshulin, Niupo, Wushan, Mile County 弥勒县五山乡牛坡村公所松树林村
  41. Sani 撒尼: Fengwu, Wujiepu, Luxi County 泸西县午街铺镇凤午村
  42. Pula 濮拉: Wudupi, Chongmen, Mazheshao, Kaiyuan County 开远县马者哨乡冲门村委会乌都皮村
  43. Nisu 尼苏: Baishengzhai (upper village), Baishengzhai, Yuanyang County 元阳县百胜寨乡百胜寨上村
  44. Naisu 乃苏: Weisuo, Wushan, Mile County 弥勒县五山乡围锁村

YYFC (1983)

YYFC (1983) gives vocabulary lists for Yi (Nisoish) languages spoken in the following locations.

YYFC (1983) was subsequently republished as Zhang (2017).

References

Further reading