Amis

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A language of Taiwan

ISO 639-3
ami
Alternate Names
Ami, Amia, Bakurut, Lam-Si-Hoan, Maran, Pagcah, Pangcah, Pangtsah, Sabari, Tanah
Population

138,000 (CIP-EY 2002). Ethnic population: 138,000.

Location

Between Hualien and Taitung, valley plains and east coast by the sea.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Austronesian, East Formosan, Central
Dialects

Central Amis (Haian Ami, Hsiukulan Ami), Chengkung-Kwangshan, Northern Amis (Nanshi Amis), Southern Amis (Hengch’un Amis, Peinan, Taitung), Tavalong-Vataan (Kuangfu, Kwangfu). Chengkung-Kwangshan dialect is most similar to Central Amis dialect.

Language Use

Also use Japanese [jpn], Mandarin Chinese [cmn]. Used as L2 by Kavalan [ckv].

Language Development
Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1997.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Amis
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Ethnic autonym: Amis. Ethnonym: Ami in Chinese. Traditionally matrilineal. Many migrating to cities and industrial areas.