Saisiyat

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A language of Taiwan

ISO 639-3
xsy
Alternate Names
Amutoura, Bouiok, Saiset, Saisett, Saisiat, Saisiett, Saisirat, Saisyet, Saisyett, Seisirat
Population

4,750 (CIP-EY 2002). Tungho: more active use. Taai: a few speakers; nearly assimilated into Atayal. Ethnic population: 7,900.

Location

Western mountains, west of the Atayal [tay], Nanchuang Township, Miaoli County and Wufong Township, Hsinchu County.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Austronesian, Northwest Formosan
Dialects

Taai (North Saiset), Tungho (South Saiset). Dialect differences are mainly phonological and lexical (1978 P. Li).

Language Use

Endangered (2000 S. Wurm). Many young speakers of the southern dialect are shifting to Hakka Chinese [hak]. Northern dialect already nearly assimilated to Atayal [tay] (2007). All ages. Mildly positive attitudes. Also use Hakka Chinese [hak] or Atayal [tay].

Language Development
Grammar.
Writing
Latin script.