Lingao
PrintA language of China
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
Bê, Limkow, Linkow, Ongbe, Ong-Be, Vo Limkou
Population
600,000 (2000 Liang Min). 100,000 monolinguals. 350,000 Lincheng, 170,000 Qiongshan.
Location
Hainan Province, north central coast, Lingao county, parts of Danxian, Chengmai, and Qiongshan counties, Haikou city suburbs.
Language Maps
Language Status
6a (Vigorous).
Classification
Dialects
Lincheng (Lingao Proper-Dengmai), Qiongshan.
Typology
Language Use
Vigorous. Other speakers in the area use it. All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. Urban residents also use Hainan dialect of Min Nan Chinese [nan]. 300,000 also speak Chinese, 200,000 use the Hainan dialect, 100,000 speak Jun or Danzhou dialects. Chinese used in secondary schools.
Language Development
Chinese characters read with Lingao pronounciation. Taught in primary schools. Radio programs. Dictionary. Grammar.
Language Resources
Officially classified within Han nationality. Traditional religion, Daoist, Buddhist.