ZAIWA: a language of China

The following is the entry for this language as it appeared in the 14th edition (2000).
It was superseded by the corresponding entry in the 15th edition (2005). See also the corresponding entry in the current edition of Ethnologue.

SIL code: ATB

ISO 639-2: sit

Population	70,000 in China (1990 J-O Svantesson). Population total both countries 100,000.
Region	Yunnan Province, Luxi, Ruili, Longchuan, Yingjiang, Bangwa Districts in Dehong Dai-Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture. Also spoken in Myanmar.
Alternate names	TSAIWA, ATSI, ATZI, AJI, ATSHI, ACI, AZI, ATSI-MARU, SZI, XIAOSHANHUA
Dialects	ZAIWA, LANGWA, POLO.
Classification	Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Lolo-Burmese, Burmish, Northern.
Comments	Closely related to Maru, Lashi, and Bela. Dialects have only minor phonological differences. They call themselves 'Tsaiva'. Officially under the Jingpo nationality in China. Distinct from the Ahi group under Yi. SOV; 3 tone categories in unchecked syllables and 2 in checked. A Roman script orthography was developed in 1957, based on the speech of Longzhun in the Xishan District of Luxi County. Polytheist. Bible portions 1939-1951.

Also spoken in:

Myanmar

Language name	ZAIWA
Population	30,000 in Myanmar (1997).
Alternate names	TSAIWA, ATSI, ATSHI, ATZI, AZI, ACI
Comments	Closely related to Lashi and Maru. Also related to Phun, Achang. Dialects have only minor phonological differences. They use Jingpo as lingua franca. SOV. Literacy rate in first language: Below 1%. Literacy rate in second language: 50% to 75%. Tropical forest. Mountain slope, interfluvial. Peasant agriculturalists. Bible portions 1939-1951. See main entry under China.