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Ethnologue > Web version > Country index > Asia > China > Bunu, Bu-Nao

Bunu, Bu-Nao

A language of China

ISO 639-3: bwx

Population  258,000 (McConnell 1995). 97,000 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 439,000 (1982 census). 100,000 ethnic Bunu speak a Northern Zhuang language as L1.
Region  West Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, counties: Du’an, Bama, Dahua, Lingyun, Nandan, Tiandong, Tianyang, Pingguo, Fengshan, Donglan, Hechi, Mashan, Bose, Tianlin, Leye, Tiandeng, Xincheng, Shanglin, Long’an, Debao, Laibin, Luocheng counties; Guizhou Province, Libo County; Yunnan Province, Funing County.
Language maps  Southern China, reference number 47
Southwestern China
Alternate names   Bunao, Po-Nau, Punu
Dialects  Dongnu (Tung Nu), Nunu, Bunuo (Pu No), Naogelao (Nao Klao), Numao (Nu Mhou, Hong Yao), Cingsui Longlin, Hontou Longlin. The dialects listed may be 5 languages (D. Strecker 1987), communication is difficult (McConnell 1995).
Classification  Hmong-Mien, Hmongic, Bunu
Language use  Vigorous. All domains. All ages. Positive attitude. Also use Chinese [cmn] or Bouyei [pcc]. Mandarin Chinese [cmn] used in schools.
Language development  Dictionary. Grammar.
Comments  Part of Yao nationality. SVO; modifiers follow heads; up to 11 affixes; complex set of initials including prenasalized stops; relatively simple rhymes; tonal, most dialects have 8 tones. Agriculturalists; trading. Daoist.

Entries from the SIL Bibliography about this language:

Academic Publications

RATLIFF, Martha, author. 1997. "Hmong-Mien demonstratives and pattern persistence."  Available online