Hlai
A language of China
| Population | 667,000 (1999 J. Ouyang). 160,000 monolinguals. 432,000 Ha, 178,000 Qi, 44,000 Bendi, 30,000 Meifu (1990 census). Ethnic population: 1,247,814 (2000 census). |
| Region | Central and southern Hainan Province, Wanning, Tunchang, Danxiang, Chengmai, Baisha. |
| Language map |
Southern China |
| Alternate names | Bli, Dai, Day, Dli, Klai, La, Lai, Le, Li, Loi, Slai |
| Dialects | Ha (Luohua-Hayan-Baoxian), Qi (Gei, Tongshi-Qiandui-Baocheng), Meifu (Moifau), Bendi (Zwn, Baisha-Yuanmen, Local Li). Some dialects may be separate languages. Matisoff (1988) lists 8 varieties: Baoding, Xifang, Tongshi, Baisha, Qiandiu, Heitu, Yuanmen, Baocheng. Luowo subdialect of Ha dialect is considered the standard. Lexical similarity: 27% with Gelao [gio], 26% with Dong [doc] and Qabiao [laq], 25% with Lachi [lbt]. |
| Classification | Tai-Kadai, Hlai |
| Language use | Vigorous. Some local Han can also speak Hlai. All domains. All ages. Positive attitude. Also use Mandarin Chinese [cmn], Iu Mien [ium], or Northern Zhuang [ccx]. |
| Language development | Literacy rate in L2: 88%. Dictionary. |
| Writing system | Latin script. |
| Comments | Classified as Li nationality. Traditional culture. Agriculturalists: rice, coconut, betel nut, sisal, hemp, lemon grass, cocoa, coffee, rubber, palm oil; textiles; traditionally hunters. Polytheist. |
Entries from the SIL Bibliography about this language:
Academic Publications
SOMSONGE Burusphat, author. 2007. "A comparison of general classifiers in Tai-Kadai languages."
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Bibliography data last updated: April-2012
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