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Lisu

A language of China

ISO 639-3: lis

Population	610,000 in China (2000 census), increasing. Population total all countries: 767,000.
Region	West Yunnan Province, 11 prefectures, 63 counties, upper reaches of Salween and Mekong rivers; Sichuan Province, southwest Liangshan Prefecture. Also in India, Myanmar, Thailand.
Language map	Southwestern China
Alternate names	Chedi, Cheli, Chung, Khae, Leisu, Leshuoopa, Lesuo, Li, Li-Hsaw, Li-Shaw, Lip’a, Lisaw, Lishu, Liso, Lissu, Loisu, Lu-Tzu, Lusu, Southern Lisu, Yao Yen, Yaw Yin, Yaw-Yen, Yeh-Jen
Dialects	Bai Lisu (White Lisu), Dechang Lisu, Hei Lisu (Black Lisu), Hua Lisu (Flowery Lisu), Lu Shi Lisu, Ninglang Lisu, Northern Lisu, Nujiang Lisu, Shibacha Lisu, Western Lisu.
Classification	Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Lolo-Burmese, Loloish, Northern, Lisu
Language use	Vigorous. Speakers of other languages in the area use Lisu for administration, religion, and bilingual education in schools. Some 7,000 members of the Nu nationality in China, and more in Myanmar, speak only Lisu; many more Nu and others speak Lisu as a L2. In Drung and Nu areas, oral and written Lisu are used for Christian activities. All domains. All ages. Positive attitude. Also use Chinese. 150,000 can also speak Bai [bca], Tibetan [bod], Naxi [nbf], Lü [khb], or Jingpho [kac]. Chinese is used in secondary schools.
Language development	Literacy rate in L1: High. Literacy rate in L2: Medium. Chinese. Taught in primary schools. Newspapers. Radio programs. Dictionary. Bible: 1968–1986.
Writing system	Latin script, consistent across country borders. Lisu (Fraser) script.
Comments	Part of Lisu nationality. SOV; tonal, 6 tones. Agriculturalists; animal husbandry. Polytheist, Christian.

Also spoken in:

India

Language name	Lisu
Population	1,000 in India (Breton 1997).
Region	Arunachal Pradesh, Changlang District, Miao and Vijaynagar circles.
Alternate names	Yawyin, Yobin
Language development	Literacy rate is low.
Comments	Agriculturalists. Christian, Buddhist.

Myanmar

Language name	Lisu
Population	126,000 in Myanmar (1987).
Region	Around Lashio in Shan state, in Wa state, around Myitkyina and Bhamo in Kachin state, around Putao towards Assam border, around Loilem area in Shan state.
Alternate names	Central Lisu, Li-Hsaw, Li-Shaw, Lisaw, Lu-Tzu, Southern Lisu, Yao Yen, Yaw Yin, Yaw-Yen, Yeh-Jeh
Dialects	Hwa Lisu (Flowery Lisu), Black Lisu, White Lisu, Lu Shi Lisu.
Language development	Literacy rate in L1: 30%–60%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75%.
Comments	All 4 dialects are in Myanmar. Black Lisu is the most distinct. Burmese [mya] and Thai Lisu have difficulties in communicating because of dialect differences. Yawgin, Tangsir, Hkwinhpang are dialects or ethnic groups. Polytheist, Christian.

Thailand

Language name	Lisu
Population	30,000 in Thailand (2006 Mahidol).
Region	Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Maehongson, Tak, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet provinces. Some migrated to northwest Thailand from Myanmar.
Language map	Northern Thailand, reference number 18
Alternate names	Li-Hsaw, Li-Shaw, Lisaw, Liso, Lu-Tzu, Southern Lisu, Yao Yen, Yaw Yin, Yaw-Yen, Yeh-Jen
Dialects	Lu Shi Lisu.
Language development	Literacy rate in L1: 5%–10%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75%.
Comments	Traditional religion, Christian.

Entries from the SIL Bibliography about this language:

Academic Publications

BRADLEY, David, author. 1997. "What did they eat? Grain crops of the Burmic groups."  

MORSE, David L.; TEHAN, Thomas M., authors. 2000. "How do you write Lisu?."