Zhuang, Zuojiang

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A language of China

ISO 639-3
zzj
Alternate Names
Ken Tho, Longyin, Longzhou, Pho Thai, Pu Tho, Southern Zhuang, Zhuangyu nanbu fangyan Zuojiang tuyu
Population

1,500,000 in China (2000 census). 35,000 in Jingxi and Napo counties. Population total all countries: 1,840,000.

Location

Southwest Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Tiandeng, Daxin, Chongzuo, Ningming, Longzhou, Pingxiang, and Jingxi counties; Yunnan Province, Funing county, a few villages. Also in Viet Nam.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Tai-Kadai, Kam-Tai, Tai, Central
Dialects

Most similar languages are Yang Zhuang [zyg], Yongnan Zhuang [zyn], Nong Zhuang [zhn], and other Nung languages of Viet Nam. Lexical similarity: 70% between Nong [zhn], Yang [zyg], Yongnan, Zuojiang [zzj], and Dai [zhd], 65% with Yongbei Zhuang [zyb].

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains. All ages. Also use southwestern dialect of Mandarin [cmn] and Yue Chinese dialects [yue].

Writing
Han (Hanzi, Kanji, Hanja) script, dating from Han dynasty, speakers use like-sounding Chinese characters to record folk-songs.
Other Comments

Officially classified within Zhuang nationality. The language is named for Zuojiang river that runs through this area, from northern Viet Nam into Longzhou, Chongzuo, and Fusui counties. Traditional religion, Daoist, Buddhist (Mahayana).

Also spoken in:

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