sTodsde

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A language of China

ISO 639-3
jih
Alternate Names
Shangzhai, Western Jiarong
Population

4,100 (2004).

Location

North central Sichuan Province, south Rangthang county, Shangzhai district, Shili, Zongke, and Puxi townships, near confluence of Duke river and its tributary, Zhongke river.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

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

Dayili, Puxi, Zongke. Phonologically Western and Northern are fairly similar and differ greatly from Eastern. Lexical similarity: 75% between Eastern and Northern Jiarong, 60% between Western and Northern Jiarong.

Typology

SOV; phonologically and lexically similar to Tibetan, grammatically more similar to Pumi and Qiang; complex consonant clusters; limited pitch contrast

Other Comments

Officially classified within Tibetan nationality. Buddhist (Lamaist), traditional religion.