Biao
PrintA language of China
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
Gang Bau, Kang Bau, Kang Beu, Kang Pau
Population
80,000 (Liang Min and Zhang Junru 2002). 10,000 women and small children are monolingual. Ethnic population: 120,000.
Location
Guangdong Province, southwest corner of Huaiji county, Shidong, Yonggu, Dagang, Liangcun, and Qiaotou districts; Fengkai county, Chang’an, Jinzhuang, and Qixing districts, several villages.
Language Maps
Language Status
6a (Vigorous).
Classification
Dialects
Minor dialect differences, but all mutually intelligible.
Language Use
Vigorous. All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. With Biao people, Biao usually used. Most Biao have frequent contact with Chinese-speaking Han and Zhuang people, and then use a local Yue Chinese [yue] dialect, often Bai hua.
Language Development
There is an effort to use more standard Mandarin in schools in the Biao area. Grammar.
Language Resources
Writing
Unwritten.
Officially classified within Han nationality, but consider themselves a distinct ethnic group from Chinese-speaking Han people around them. Traditional religion, Daoist, Buddhist.