Ersu

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A language of China

ISO 639-3
ers
Alternate Names
Bu’erci, Bu’erzi, Bu’erzi Ersu, Doxu, Duoxu, Erhsu, Lizu, Lusu, T’osu
Population

20,000 (Shearer and Sun Hong Kai 2002), decreasing. Eastern Ersu (Ersu) 13,000, Central Ersu (Duoxu) 10 or less, Western Ersu (Lizu) 4,000.

Location

South central Sichuan Province, lower reaches of the Dadu river; Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture, Ganluo, Yuexi, Mianning, and Muli counties; Ya’an prefecture, Shimian and Hanyuan counties; Ganzi Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Jiulong county; dispersed among Yi, Chinese, and Tibetan peoples.

Language Maps
Language Status

7 (Shifting). Language of recognized nationality: Tibetan.

Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Northeastern Tibeto-Burman, Ersuish
Dialects

Duoxu (Central Ersu), Ersu (Eastern Ersu), Lisu (Liru, Lüzü, Western Ersu).

Typology

SOV; adjectives and number-classifier constructions follow noun heads; consonant cluster onsets; most morphemes monosyllabic; 2 tones, word-template zone.

Language Use

Decreasing from language attrition. Mainly older adults. Neutral attitudes. 400 also use Lipo [lpo]. 8,000 also use Mandarin Chinese [cmn]. Used as L2 by Namuyi [nmy].

Language Development
About 10 people can read the Shaba script. Poetry. Videos. Dictionary.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Ersu
Writing

Ersu Shaba Picture Writing [Qaag], used until some time before 2003, limited usage, used in religious ceremonies.

Other Comments

Traditional religion.