Endangered Languages of Southwest China

Southwest China is home to a vast number of ethnic groups, many of which speak endangered languages. The provinces of Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou, and Guangxi have some of the highest linguistic diversity in China. Southwest China’s has linguistic diversity but many of its languages are facing extinction due to Mandarin’s dominance and societal shifts.
Modernization, urbanization, and language policies promoting Mandarin have put many of these languages at risk. Below, we explore the endangered languages of this region, their current number of speakers, and efforts to preserve them.

Yunnan Province

1. Naxi – Around 300,000 speakers. It is famous for the Dongba script, a unique pictographic writing system. Preservation efforts include local schools teaching the script and scholars working to document it.
2. Lahu – About 750,000 speakers, but younger generations are shifting to Mandarin. NGOs and universities have developed language-learning materials.
3. Jinuo – Around 20,000 speakers. It was historically unwritten, but recent initiatives have introduced a Latin-based script to promote literacy.
4. Bai – Over 1 million speakers, yet the younger generation increasingly speaks Mandarin. Cultural preservation programs support Bai music and storytelling traditions.
5. Hani – Over 1.5 million speakers, yet dialectal diversity and lack of standardized teaching materials hinder its survival.

Sichuan Province

1. Qiang – Approximately 200,000 speakers, but many young people prefer Mandarin. The government has introduced bilingual education programs to support the language.
2. Ersu – Fewer than 20,000 speakers. Efforts to document its unique writing system and oral traditions are ongoing.
3. Namuyi – Less than 10,000 speakers, with rapid language loss. Preservation is mainly through community-driven projects.
4. Pumi – Around 40,000 speakers. Some schools have started incorporating Pumi language lessons.
5. Tujia – Approximately 70,000 fluent speakers remain out of a population of over 8 million. Many Tujia people have switched to Mandarin or Southwestern Mandarin dialects.

Guizhou Province

1. Dong (Kam) – 1.5 million speakers, but Mandarin is increasingly dominant. The Dong people’s traditional songs are used to help teach the language.
2. Miao (Hmong) – Over 3 million speakers in China, yet dialectal variation and Mandarin influence threaten its continuity. There are educational programs promoting its use.
3. Gelao – Around 10,000 speakers. Its decline is due to cultural assimilation, and revitalization efforts remain limited.
4. Bouyei – Over 2.5 million speakers, yet many younger Bouyei shift to Mandarin. Some preservation efforts include folk music and storytelling initiatives.

Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

1. Zhuang – Around 16 million speakers, but younger generations increasingly prefer Mandarin. A written system based on Latin script has been developed for literacy programs.
2. Dong (Kam) – Spoken in both Guangxi and Guizhou. Government-backed bilingual education programs aim to revitalize it.
3. Jing (Vietnamese) – Approximately 22,000 speakers, mainly in coastal areas. Vietnamese language influences remain strong, and cross-border linguistic exchange helps maintain usage.
4. Yi – Over 800,000 speakers in Guangxi. The traditional Yi script and oral storytelling are being documented and promoted in schools.
5. Maonan – Around 30,000 speakers. Government initiatives support bilingual education in Maonan and Mandarin.

Conclusion

Southwest China’s has  linguistic diversity but many of its languages are facing extinction due to Mandarin’s dominance and societal shifts. Efforts to document, teach, and promote these languages are critical for their survival. Language revitalization programs, digital tools, and community-driven initiatives play a key role in preserving this rich linguistic heritage. By learning about and supporting these languages, we contribute to protecting China’s diverse cultural landscape.