Nisoish languages

Nisoish
Southeastern Loloish
Ethnicity:	Yi people, Phula people
Geographic distribution:	Southern China, Vietnam
Linguistic classification:	Sino-Tibetan Lolo-Burmese Loloish Ni–Li–Kazhuoish Nisoish–Lisoish Nisoish
Glottolog:	sout3212[1]

The Nisoish languages, also known in reduced scope as Southeastern Loloish, are a branch of the Loloish languages in recent classifications. It was established by Bradley (2002) from Southern Loloish, and further refined by Pelkey (2011) and Lama (2012), who includes several of Thurgood's Northern Loloish languages.

Languages

Pelkey (2011)

Jamin Pelkey (2011) calls the clade Southeastern Loloish (or Southeastern Ngwi). Within it he lists:

• Nisu: Nyisu; Northern Nisu, Southern Nisu
• Sani–Azha: Sani, Axi; Azhe; Azha [+ Samei]
• Highland Phula:
  • Muji:
    • Core Muji: Northern Muji, Qila Muji, Southern Muji, Bokha–Phuma; Muzi; Laghuu
    • Thopho
    • Moji
  • Phowa:
    • Ani Phowa, Labo Phowa
    • Hlepho Phowa, Phukha
    • Khlula, Zokhuo
• Riverine Phula:
  • Upriver: Phola, Alo Phola, Phala
  • Downriver:
    • Phupa, Phuza
    • Phupha, Alugu

Pelkey (2011:353)^[2] specifically excludes Pholo, noting that although it has been closely associated with speakers of Southeastern Ngwi languages historically, it does not share the defining features of the branch. Also, Pelkey (2011) notes that Southeastern Ngwi may be most closely related to Northern Ngwi (including Nosu and Nasu), which is in line with Lama's (2012) proposal of a Nisoish clade.

Pelkey (2011) lists the following sound changes from Proto-Ngwi as Southeastern Ngwi innovations.

• *ʔ-k and *ʔ-ɡl merge as /tɬ/
• *pl/j and *ʔ-kl merge as /tɬʰ/
• *bl/j and *ɡl merge as /dɮ/
• *m-pl/j and *m-bl/j merge as /ndɮ/

Lama (2012)

Lama calls the clade Nisoish. He adds a couple northern languages such as Nuosu and Nasu which were not included in Pelkey, but does not directly classify many languages which are acknowledged to be closely related to ones which are included. The languages he does address he classifies into three groups, Nisoid, Axioid, and Puoi, and arranges as follows:

Nisoish	Axi–Puoid  Puoid Zuoke, Pholo (≈ Phowa)  Axioid  Azha Sani (–Samei), Azhe–Axi  Nisoid   (Nisu–Lope)  Lope (Awu) Nuosu (incl. Qumusu, Niesu) Nasu (incl. Nesu, Gepo) Nisu (Nishu)

Other languages:

• Aluo is close to Nasu.
• Alingpo is unclassified within Nisoish.

Four of the six Yi languages (fangyan 方言) officially recognized by the Chinese government belong to Lama's Nisoish clade.

• Northern Yi (Nuosu 诺苏)
• Eastern Yi (Nasu 纳苏)
• Southern Yi (Nisu 尼苏)
• Southeastern Yi (Sani 撒尼)

However, the remaining two of the six officially recognized Yi languages belong to Lama's Lisoish clade.

• Western Yi (Lalo 腊罗)
• Central Yi (Lolopo 倮倮泼)

Lama (2012) lists the following changes from Proto-Loloish as innovations among various branches and languages of Nisoish.

• *NC- > NCʰ (Nasu and Gepu)
• *s- > ɕ- (Zuoke and Polo)
• *xl- > ɬ-, h- (Sani, Axi, Azhe, Azha)
• *plh- > tʰ- (Nisoid)
• *ŋg- > (n)dz-, dz- (Nisoid)

Chen (2010)

Chen (2010) recognizes three separate regional macro-languages (Chinese: fangyan 方言), Nosu (Northern Yi), Nasu (Eastern Yi), and Nesu (Southern Yi). Chen's Nosu and Nasu roughly correspond with Lama's Nisoid branch, and Nesu roughly corresponds with Lama's Axi–Puoid. Also listed are the counties where each respective dialect is spoken.

• Nosu 诺苏方言 (See)
• Nasu 纳苏方言
  • Nàsū 纳苏次方言
    • Nàsū 纳苏 (na̱˧su˧pʰo˥): 400,000 speakers in Luquan, Wuding, Xundian, Huize, Dongchuan, Songming, etc.
    • Naso, Nàsuǒ 纳索 (na̱˧so˧pʰo˥): 300,000 speakers in Zhaotong, Ludian, Yiliang, Daguan, Yanjin, Suijiang, Yongshan, Qiaojia, Huize, etc.
    • Alo, Āluó 阿罗 (a̱˥lɒ˧): 100,000 speakers in Wuding, Fumin, Lufeng, etc.
    • Mongi, Mòqí 莫其 (mo˨˩ndʑi˨˩): 50,000 speakers in Wuding, Luquan, Songming, Kunming, Mile, etc.
  • Nersu, Nèisū 内苏次方言
    • Nersu, Nèisū 内苏 (nɤ˥su˩˧): 300,000 speakers in Weining, Shuicheng, Hezhang, Nayong, Yiliang, Huize, Xuanwei, Weixin, Zhenyong, etc.
    • Nipu, Nípǔ 尼普 (ȵi˥pʰu˥): 300,000 speakers in Bijie, Qianxi, Jinsha, Dafang, Zhijin, Nayong, Qingzhen, Pingba, Puding, Liuzhi, Guanling, Zhenning, etc.
  • Noso, Nuòsuǒ 诺索次方言
    • Noso, Nuòsuǒ 诺索 (nɔ˥so˧): 100,000 speakers in Panxian, Xingren, Pu'an, Xingyi, Qinglong, Shuicheng, Fuyuan, Luoping, etc.
    • Polo, Bǔluó 补罗 (pʰo̱˥lo̱˥): 50,000 speakers in Kaiyuan, Gejiu, Mengzi, Honghe, Wenshan, Yanshan, etc.
• Nesu 聂苏方言
  • Nesu, Nièsū 聂苏次方言
    • Nesu, Nièsū 聂苏 (ne̱˧su˥): 500,000 speakers in Honghe, Mojiang, Yuanjiang, Yuanyang, Luchun, Jiangcheng, Jinping, Hekou, Pu'er, Jinghong, Mengla, etc.
    • Narsu, Nuósū 娜苏 (na˧su˥): 500,000 speakers in Shiping, Eshan, Tonghai, Jianshui, Kaiyuan, Gejiu, Mengzi, Pingbian, etc.
    • Zoko, Zuòkuò 作括 (dzo˨˩kʰo˦): 100,000 speakers in Wenshan, Yanshan, Xichou, Maguan, Malipo, etc.
  • Sani, Sǎní 撒尼次方言
    • Sani, Sǎní 撒尼 (nɪ˨˩): 200,000 speakers in Lunan, Yiliang, Luliang, Mile, Luxi, Shizong, Malong, Luquan, Qiubei, etc.
    • Asi, Āxì 阿细 (a˨˩ɕi˥pʰo˨˩): 200,000 speakers in Mile, Lunan, Chengjiang, Kunming, Huaning, etc.
    • Nise, Nísài 尼赛 (ni˥sɛ˨˩pʰu˥): 100,000 speakers in Lunan
  • Azi, Āzhé 阿哲次方言
    • Azi, Āzhé 阿哲 (a˨˩dʐɛ̱˨˩pʰo˨˩): 100,000 speakers in Mile, Huaning, Kaiyuan, Jianshui, etc.
    • Neshu, Nièshū 聂舒: (nɪ̱˧ʂu˥pʰo˨˩): 500,000 speakers in Xinping, Yuxi, Jiangchuan, Yimen, Puning, etc.
    • Lopo, Luópō 罗泼 (lo˨˩pʰɯ˨˩): 100,000 speakers in Mile
    • Kopo, Gépō 格泼 (ko˥pʰo˨˩): 100,000 speakers in Fuyuan, Luoping, Zhanyi, Qujing, Shizong, Huize, Lunan, Luliang, Mile, etc.
    • Sanni, Sāngní 桑尼 (ʂɛ˨˩ni˥˩): 100,000 speakers in Kunming

Demographics

The following demographics of Phula languages is from Pelkey (2011).

Demographics of Phula languages

Language	Autonym(s)	Speakers	Ethnic population	Villages	Dialects
Phala	pʰa˧˩la˧/˥	12,000	13,000	33	5+
Phola	pʰo˧˩la˥	13,000	13,000	42	7+
Alo Phola	pʰo˧˩la˥	500	500	1	1
Qila Muji	m˩3 dʑi3˧	1,500	1,500	3	3
Southern Muji	m˩˧dʑi˧	26,000	28,000	104	6+
Northern Muji	mɯ˨˩dʑi˧	9,000	15,000	61	3+
Muzi	m˩˧dzɿ˧	10,000	16,000	42	5+
Bokha	po˨˩kʰo˥	10,000	12,000	31	3+
Phuma	pʰɯ˥ma˨˩	8,000	8,000	23	2
Alugu	a˥lɯ˧ɡɯ˧χa˨˩	3,500	3,500	11	2
Phupa	pʰɯ˧pa˨˩	3,000	4,000	13	3
Phupha	pʰɯ˥pʰa˧	1,300	1,500	5	3
Phuza	pʰɯ˥za˧˩	6,000	8,000	28	2+
Ani Phowa	pʰo˨˩va˧	10,000	10,000	30	3+
Labo Phowa	pʰo˨˩va˧	17,000	21,000	70	Dialect chain
Hlepho Phowa	pʰo˨˩va˧	36,000	50,000	187	Dialect chain
Azha	a˧tsa˨˩, a˥tʂa˧	53,000	54,000	98	5+
Zokhuo	tso˨˩kʰuo˥	13,000	17,000	56	2
Khlula	kɬʰu˨˩la˧	21,000	34,000	114	3+
Moji	-	2,000	7,000	45	2+
Phukha	-	10,000	14,000	41?	Unknown
Laghuu	la˨˩ɣɯ˦	500	1,500	7	Unknown
Pholo	pho˥lo˥	30,000	34,000	112	3+
Thopho	tʰo˨˩pʰo˧	200	500	2	1

The following datapoints (i.e., sample locations) for Phula languages are from Pelkey (2011:26-27).

Datapoints for Phula languages (Pelkey 2011)

Language	County	Township	Village	Datapoint Code
Alugu	Gejiu	Manhao 蔓耗镇	Chongtianling 冲天岭[3]	CTL
Azha	Yanshan County	Ganhe 干河彝族乡	Faduke Dazhai 法都可大寨 ("Dafa 大法")	DFC
Azha	Wenshan County	Dongshan 东山彝族乡	Huangzhai 荒寨[4]	HZC
Azha	Wenshan County	Binglie 秉烈彝族乡	Luojiayi 倮家邑[5]	LJY
Azha	Wenshan County	Binglie 秉烈彝族乡	Xiaopingba 小平坝[6]	XPB
Bokha	Pingbian County	Dishuiceng 滴水层乡	Yibaizu 邑佰租[7]	YBZ
Bokho	Jinping County	Ma'andi 马鞍底乡	Dixibei 地西北[8]	DXB
Khlula	Wenshan County	Liujing 柳井彝族乡	Laozhai 老寨[9][10][11]	LZC
Khlula	Maguan County	Muchang 木厂镇	Maxi 马西[12]	MXC
Muji	Pingbian County	Xinxian 新现乡	Luoshuidong 落水洞[13]	LSD
Muji	Jinping County	Adibo 阿德博乡	Pujiazhai 普家寨	PJZ
Muji	Jinping County	Jinshuihe 金水河镇	Qila 期腊[14]	QLC
Muji	Mengzi County	Shuitian 水田乡	Xiepo 斜坡[15]	XPC
Muzi	Gejiu	Laochang 老厂镇	Malutang 马鹿塘[16]	MLT
Muzi	Gejiu	Kafang 卡房镇	Nuoguzhai 糯谷寨[17]	NGZ
Muzi	Jinping County	Tongchang 铜厂乡	Shizitou 狮子头[18]	SZT
Phala	Honghe County	Baohua 宝华乡	Beishe 碑赊[19]	BSC
Phala	Honghe County	Yisa 迤萨镇	Feinishao 斐尼哨[20]	FNS
Phola	Honghe County	Menglong 勐龙傣族乡	Adipo 阿底坡[21]	ADP
Phola	Yuanjiang County	Wadie 洼垤乡	Luodie 罗垤[22]	LDC
Phola	Yuanjiang County	Lijiang 澧江镇	Natang 那塘[23]	NTC
Phole	Wenshan County	Dehou 德厚镇	Chekabai 扯卡白[24]	CKB
Pholo	Guangnan County	Wuzhu 五珠乡	Fayi Xiazhai 法衣下寨[25]	FYX
Pholo	Yanshan County	Ganhe 干河彝族乡	Shangxinzhai 上新寨[26]	SXZ
Pholo	Guangnan County	Zhulin 珠琳镇	Xiji 西吉[27]	XJC
Phowa	Pingbian County	Xinhua 新华乡	Feizuke 菲租克[28][29]	FZK
Phowa	Kaiyuan County	Beige 碑格乡	Jiaji 架吉[30]	JJC
Phowa	Mengzi County	Mingjiu 鸣鹫镇	Meizichong 梅子冲[31]	MZC
Phowa	Mengzi County	Beige 碑格乡	Weibazhu Xiaozhai 尾巴猪小寨	WBZ
Phowa	Kaiyuan County	Mazheshao 马者哨乡	Wudupi 乌都皮[32]	WDP
Phowa	Mengzi County	Xibeile 西北勒乡	Daheineng 大黑能[33]	DHN
Phowa	Kaiyuan County	Beige 碑格乡	Lugumu 鲁姑母[34]	LGM
Phowa	Wenshan County	Baxin 坝心彝族乡	Suozhiwan 所支弯	SZW
Phowa	Mengzi County	Xibeile 西北勒乡	Xibeile 西北勒[35]	XBL
Phuma	Pingbian County	Baihe 白河乡	Yanzitou 岩子头[36]	YZT
Phupa	Mengzi County	Shuitian 水田乡	Gamadi 嘎马底[37][38]	GMD
Phupha	Gejiu	Jiasha 贾沙乡	Fengkou 风口[39]	FKC
Phuza	Mengzi County	Lengquan 冷泉镇	Bujibai 补鸡白[40]	BJB
Thopho	Guangnan County	Zhetu 者兔乡	Xinzhaicun 新寨村[41][42]	XZC
Zokhuo	Wenshan County	Zhuiligai 追栗街镇	Daxingzhai 大兴寨[43]	DXZ
Moji	Xichou County	Lianhuatang 莲花塘乡	Luchaichong 芦差冲[44][45]	LCC

Yiyu Fangyan Bijiao Yanjiu (彝语方言比较研究) by Wang Chengyou (王成有) (2003) gives phonological inventories for the following datapoints.

1. Miyajing, Sanhe, Nanhua County 南华县三河底米丫井村
2. Zhuangke, Zhuangke, Yao'an County 姚安县庄科乡庄科村
3. Langzhe, Yunshan, Yongsheng County 永胜县云山乡朗者村
4. Gen'e, Gen'e, Yongsheng County 永胜县茛莪乡茛莪村
5. Zhijuxiao, Zhonghe, Yongren County 永仁县中和乡直苴小村
6. Hongmai, Lijiang 丽江红麦; Tanglang language 堂郎语
7. Huazhuqing, Xin'an, Mojiang County 思茅地区墨江县新安乡滑竹箐
8. Hemezha, Tanhua, Dayao County 大姚县昙华乡[补期地耕作]黑么乍村
9. Aiguo, Yangjiang, Weishan County 巍山县漾江农场爱国村
10. Sanjia, Chongfeng, Weishan County 巍山县冲锋乡三家村
11. Lewuju, Wule, Nanjian County 南涧县五乐乡五具村
12. Yanzijiao, Jingxing, Mojiang County 思茅地区墨江县景星乡官厅岩子脚村
13. Xiaoguangshan, Baoxiu, Shiping County 红河州石屏县宝秀乡小光山村
14. Zuoluo, Honghe County 红河州红河县座落村
15. Zhuyuan, Zhuyuan, Laochang District, Xinping County 新平县老厂区竹园乡竹园村
16. Suomili, Laowudou, Xinping County 新平县老五斗乡梭咪里村
17. Washaozong, Tadian, Weishan County 峨山县塔甸乡瓦哨宗村
18. Suxiong, Ganluo County 凉山州甘洛县苏雄乡
19. Laodashu, 2nd Township, Huili County 凉山州会理县第二乡老大树
20. Lizi, Hongma, Xide County 凉山州喜德县红玛乡李子村
21. Damaichong (upper village), Hejia, Liangshan, Yuanmou County 元谋县凉山乡何家村大麦冲上队
22. Daxingzhai, Wenshan County 文山县大兴寨; Zuoke language 坐柯
23. Huangzhai (small village), Gaodeng, Wenshan County 文山县高登乡村公所荒寨小队; Azhapu language 阿扎仆
24. Longshu, Qiubei County 丘北县龙树村; Axi Touruo language 阿细拖若
25. Anwang, Guangnan County 广南县安王村; Flowery Lolo 花倮
26. Long'an, Funing County 富宁县龙安; White Lolo 白倮
27. Musang, Funing County 富宁县木桑村; Black Lolo 黑倮
28. Sayingpan, Luquan, Kunming City 昆明市禄劝撒营盘
29. Banaji, Wuding County 武定县罢纳吉村
30. Chijiabi, Biji, Xishan, Kunming City 昆明市西山区碧鸡乡赤甲碧村
31. 2nd Village, Wafei, 5th District, Zhenxiong County 镇雄县五区娃飞乡二村
32. Laolin, Yanshan District, Zhaotong County 昭通县盐山区老林乡
33. Jingdi, Sayu, Zhaotong County 昭通县洒渔乡井底村
34. Longjie, 9th Township, Weining County 威宁县九乡龙街
35. Dafang County 大方县
36. Pan County 盘县
37. De'e, Longlin County 隆林县德峨
38. Axi 阿细: Xiaolongpu, Huakou, Xishan, Mile County 弥勒县西三镇花口村公所小龙铺村
39. Azhe 阿哲: Zhongzhai, Wushan, Mile County 弥勒县五山中寨村
40. Gupo 古泼: Songshulin, Niupo, Wushan, Mile County 弥勒县五山乡牛坡村公所松树林村
41. Sani 撒尼: Fengwu, Wujiepu, Luxi County 泸西县午街铺镇凤午村
42. Pula 濮拉: Wudupi, Chongmen, Mazheshao, Kaiyuan County 开远县马者哨乡冲门村委会乌都皮村
43. Nisu 尼苏: Baishengzhai (upper village), Baishengzhai, Yuanyang County 元阳县百胜寨乡百胜寨上村
44. Naisu 乃苏: Weisuo, Wushan, Mile County 弥勒县五山乡围锁村

References

1. Nordhoff, Sebastian; Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin, eds. (2013). "Southeastern Ngwi". Glottolog. Leipzig: Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology.
2. Pelkey, Jamin. 2011. Dialectology As Dialectic: Interpreting Phula Variation. Berlin: De Gruyter Mouton.
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12. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=99682
13. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=188201
14. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=188162
15. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=98499
16. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=158595
17. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=158891
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19. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=174483
20. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=195115
21. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=195112
22. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=252120
23. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=251969
24. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=236381
25. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=205588
26. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=90464
27. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=86791
28. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=189530
29. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=189531
30. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vindex.aspx?departmentid=154164
31. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=27868
32. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vindex.aspx?departmentid=148444
33. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=98774
34. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=148110
35. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=98750
36. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=189623
37. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=98505
38. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=98504
39. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=159045
40. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=99258
41. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=93177
42. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=93172
43. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=214938
44. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=190993
45. http://www.ynszxc.gov.cn/villagePage/vIndex.aspx?departmentid=190994

• Chen Kang [陈康]. 2010. A study of Yi dialects [彝语方言研究]. Beijing: China Minzu University Press.
• Lama, Ziwo Qiu-Fuyuan (2012), Subgrouping of Nisoic (Yi) Languages, thesis, University of Texas at Arlington
• Pelkey, Jamin. 2011. Dialectology as Dialectic: Interpreting Phula Variation.

Further reading

• Pelkey, Jamin. 2011b. A Phula comparative lexicon: Phola, Phuza, Muji, Phowa, Azha. SIL Language and Culture Documentation and Description, 18. Dallas: SIL International.