Baima

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A language of China

ISO 639-3
bqh
Alternate Names
Bai Ma, Pe
Population

10,000 (Bradley 2007). Older adults and a few middle aged are monolingual. Ethnic population: 14,000 (Bradley 2007).

Location

North central Sichuan Province, Pingwu, Jiuzhaigou, and Songpan counties; Gansu Province, Wenxian county.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Northeastern Tibeto-Burman, Baima
Dialects

Northern Baima (Wenxian Baima), Southern Baima (Pingwu Baima), Western Baima (Jiuzhaigou Baima, Songpan Baima).

Typology

SOV; initial consonant clusters; no consonantal codas; mostly monosyllabic morphemes; loans from Chinese and Tibetan; tonal, 4 tones

Language Use

Vigorous among adults in Pingwu and Jiuzhaigou counties. All domains. Neutral attitudes. Also use local Amdo Tibetan [adx] and Chinese (Bradley 2007).

Language Development
Schools use Chinese. Poetry. Dictionary.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Baima
Other Comments

Officially classified within Tibetan nationality (1951). The Baima clan has a distinct ethnic identity from other Tibetans. Classified Tibetan, though some scholars consider it in the Tibeto-Burman language family, Qiangic subgroup. Traditional religion.