Zhuang, Nong
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A language of China
500,000 (Wang and Johnson 2008). 125,000 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 600,000 (2007).
Yunnan province: Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central and west Guangnan, Maguan, Malipo, north Wenshan, Xichou, and east Yanshan counties; a few in Funing and Qiubei counties.
3 (Wider communication). Language of recognized nationality: Zhuang.
Western Guangnan, Liancheng, Central Zhuang, Southern Zhuang. Reportedly most similar Tày [tyz], and Min Zhuang [zgm]. Some Tày dialects near Viet Nam-Yunnan border reportedly mutually intelligible. Nong Dialects mutually intelligible for simple topics. Not intelligible of Dai Zhuang [zhd], Min Zhuang [zgm], Yang Zhuang [zyg], Guibian Zhuang [zgn], or Qiubei Zhuang [zqe]. Lexical similarity: over 70% with Nong, Yang [zyg], Yongnan [zyn], and Zuojiang [zzj]; about 67% with Dai [zhd]; 54% with Yongbei Zhuang [zyb]. A member of macrolanguage Zhuang [zha].
SVO; modifiers follow nouns, directional verbs precede objects; phonemic distinction between aspirated, unaspirated voiceless, and preglottalized voiced plosives; 6 tones on unchecked, 3–4 on checked syllables.
Literacy rate in L1: A few teachers and linguists can read the recent Yunnan government approved experimental orthography. Literacy rate in L2: Rapidly increasing due to free education begun in 2008, including women and girls. In 2011, 300 Nong 7th graders received a few hours of Nong instruction. Taught in primary schools, pilot projects. Radio. Texts.
Over half the Nong live in Guangnan and Yanshan counties. Nong represent a majority of Zhuang in all their counties except for Funing and Qiubei, where mostly northern Taic Zhuang languages are spoken. Traditional religion.