Today we enter the exciting world of Min Zhuang language. Throughout history, Min Zhuang language has been the object of study, admiration and controversy. Since its inception, it has aroused the curiosity of the most restless minds, who have sought to unravel its mysteries and understand its impact on society. Through this article, we propose to explore the different aspects related to Min Zhuang language, from its origin to its relevance today. We will delve into its roots, analyze its various facets and reflect on its influence on human development. Min Zhuang language is a fascinating topic that deserves to be explored from multiple perspectives, and it is our desire to offer an exhaustive analysis that contributes to the enrichment of knowledge on this issue.
Min Zhuang is a recently described Tai language spoken in the Langheng (郎恒) area of Funing County, Yunnan, China, and possibly also southwestern Guangxi province. All speakers are reportedly bilingual in Yei Zhuang (also known as Guibian Zhuang or Sha), which is classified as Northern Tai (Johnson 2011a). The language was first described in 2011 by Eric C. Johnson of SIL International, though it had been earlier mentioned in Kullavanijaya and L-Thongkum (1998).
Names
The Min Zhuang speakers of Guixun-Anhe call their language kaŋ˨min˨˦ or min˨˦sɔŋ˥˧. Another Min Zhuang dialect is called pu˨min˨˦ or kən˧min˨˦.
Min Zhuang is spoken by about 2,600 people in 11 villages. With the exception of Shangmabu (上麻布), all of the following villages are purely made up of Min Zhuang speakers.
Guixun-Anhe (贵训-安哈)
Sankeshu (三颗数)
Xionggu (雄估)
Shangmabu (上麻布) - mixed with Nong Zhuang speakers
Tianfang (田房)
Getao (戈桃)
Gezao (戈造)
Gecai (戈才)
Bagan (叭干)
Na'en (那恩)
Longnong (龙弄)
Johnson (2011b) reports that Min Zhuang is also likely to be spoken in southwestern Guangxi.
Kullavanijaya, Pranee and L-Thongkum, Theraphan. 1998. "Linguistic criteria for determining Tai ethnic groups: case studies on Central and south-western Tais." Proceedings the International Conference on Tai Studies, July 29–31, 1998, Bangkok.