South China: Everyday Phrases in Endangered Languages

South China: Everyday Phrases in Endangered Languages

South China is home to several endangered languages spoken by small communities. These languages carry unique histories and cultural knowledge. Below are five everyday phrases translated into endangered languages of South China, with pronunciation and English meaning. Using these phrases helps keep these languages alive.

1. Shehua (畲话)

  • Hello, good morning – 早上好 (Záoshàng hǎo)
  • I am hungry – 我饿了 (Ngóh ngòh liáo)
  • Have a good night – 晚安 (Wǎn’ān)
  • Where are you from? – 你来自哪里？(Nǐ láizì nǎlǐ?)
  • Thank you – 谢谢 (Xièxiè)

2. Utsat (Huíhuīhuà / 回辉话)

  • Hello, good morning – Suwá duka
  • I am hungry – Kuyuh aku
  • Have a good night – Malam baik
  • What is your name? – Siapa nama kamu?
  • Goodbye – Selamat jalan

3. Hlai (Li languages / 黎语)

  • Hello, good morning – Nǐ yīng (你英)
  • I am hungry – Ba dài bă (巴代吧)
  • Have a good night – Dài xī bă (代西吧)
  • How are you? – Dài dū bă? (代都吧？)
  • Thank you – Oi yo (哦优)

4. Danzhouhua (儋州话)

  • Hello, good morning – 早晨好 (Zó sáng hóu)
  • I am hungry – 我肚饿 (Ngóh tóh ngòh)
  • Have a good night – 晚安 (Mán ón)
  • Can you help me? – 你可以帮我吗？(Néi hó yi bāng ngóh má?)
  • See you later – 再见 (Zoi gin)

5. Moken (Sea Nomad language)

  • Hello, good morning – Khawé tóh
  • I am hungry – Maák aoy
  • Have a good night – Pamaŋ tóh
  • Where is the water? – Bila meŋ ni?
  • Be careful! – Tingga-tingga!

Conclusion

South China’s endangered languages are an essential part of cultural heritage. These simple phrases connect people to their linguistic roots and keep traditions alive. Speaking even a few words supports the preservation of these languages for future generations. (more…)

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Endangered Languages of Northwest China

Endangered Languages of Northwest China

Northwest China, covering Gansu, Qinghai, and Xinjiang, is home to several endangered languages spoken by ethnic minorities. Many of these languages face decline due to Mandarin Chinese’s dominance and cultural assimilation. However, they remain crucial to preserving unique histories, traditions, and identities. Below, we explore endangered languages in this region, their current status, and preservation efforts.

1. Salar (Turkic language)

  • Speakers: ~100,000
  • Region: Qinghai, Gansu
  • Status: Vulnerable—Salar youth increasingly speak Mandarin instead.
  • Preservation Efforts: Salar communities advocate for bilingual education, and researchers document the language.

2. Western Yugur (Mongolic language)

  • Speakers: ~4,600
  • Region: Gansu
  • Status: Severely endangered—Children no longer learn it at home.
  • Preservation Efforts: Local linguistic projects work on revitalization through digital media and educational programs.

3. Dongxiang (Mongolic language)

  • Speakers: ~200,000
  • Region: Gansu
  • Status: Vulnerable—Though spoken by many, Mandarin influence grows among younger generations.
  • Preservation Efforts: Some schools include Dongxiang in their curriculum, and scholars study its grammar and vocabulary.

4. Lop Nur Uighur (Turkic language)

  • Speakers: Fewer than 500
  • Region: Xinjiang
  • Status: Critically endangered—The language is nearly extinct, with only a few elderly speakers.
  • Preservation Efforts: Limited documentation exists, but linguistic research aims to record what remains.

5. Kangjia (Mixed Sino-Tibetan and Mongolic language)

  • Speakers: ~300
  • Region: Qinghai
  • Status: Critically endangered—Few people can still speak it.
  • Preservation Efforts: Some linguists have recorded Kangjia, but revitalization efforts are minimal.

Conclusion

Northwest China’s endangered languages reflect the region’s diverse ethnic history. Unfortunately, urbanization, migration, and government policies accelerate language shift. Despite these challenges, community efforts and academic research help document and preserve these languages. Supporting these efforts ensures linguistic diversity remains part of China’s cultural heritage. Northwest China, covering Gansu, Qinghai, and Xinjiang, is home to several endangered languages spoken by ethnic minorities.

See examples of common sentences  in other post

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Northeast China: Everyday Phrases-Endangered Languages

Northeast China: Everyday Phrases in Endangered Languages

Northeast China is home to several endangered languages spoken by ethnic minorities such as the Manchu, Xibe, Evenki, and Oroqen. These languages carry the cultural identity and historical knowledge of their people, but they are rapidly declining due to the widespread use of Mandarin Chinese. While preservation efforts exist, including language revitalization programs and digital archives, fluent speakers are decreasing.

Using even a few words in these languages helps keep them alive. Below are five common phrases in endangered languages of Northeast China, including the original language, pronunciation, and English meaning.

1. Manchu (Once the language of the Qing Dynasty, now nearly extinct)

  • Hello, good morning → “Sain be!” (sain be)
  • I am hungry → “Bi gesi fonjifi.” (bi gəʃi fɔndʒifi)
  • Have a good night → “Bi kai beye sain yabumbi.” (bi kai bejɛ sain jabumbi)
  • Where are you from? → “Si ubaliyambu?” (si ubalijambu)
  • Thank you very much → “Aiban akdun!” (aiban akdun)

2. Xibe (A descendant of Manchu, spoken mainly in Xinjiang but still present in Northeast China)

  • Hello, good morning → “Saiyin!” (sai-jin)
  • I am hungry → “Min jiqer baxi.” (min dʒiqer baʃi)
  • Have a good night → “Amar be sain yabumbi.” (amar be sain yabumbi)
  • Where are you from? → “Si ubaliyambu?” (si ubalijambu)
  • Thank you very much → “Toho acambi!” (toho atʃambi)

3. Evenki (A Tungusic language with small speaker communities in Heilongjiang and Inner Mongolia)

  • Hello, good morning → “Bujan!” (boo-yan)
  • I am hungry → “Mini tuntu buga.” (mini tun-tu bu-ga)
  • Have a good night → “Huru bejere!” (hoo-roo bay-je-re)
  • Where are you from? → “Si elege?” (si eh-le-geh)
  • Thank you very much → “Aldun!” (ahl-dun)

4. Oroqen (A critically endangered language spoken by small Oroqen groups in Heilongjiang and Inner Mongolia)

  • Hello, good morning → “Tuwun!” (too-woon)
  • I am hungry → “Mini xōn boga.” (mini hɔn bo-ga)
  • Have a good night → “Honogin bade!” (ho-no-gin ba-de)
  • Where are you from? → “Sini ulda?” (si-ni ul-da)
  • Thank you very much → “Eseme!” (eh-se-me)

Conclusion

Read and learn five common phrases in endangered languages of Northeast China, including the original language, pronunciation, and English meaning.
The endangered languages of Northeast China reflect rich histories, unique traditions, and ancestral knowledge. Sadly, due to urbanization, education policies favoring Mandarin Chinese, and cultural assimilation, these languages are at risk of disappearing. However, small efforts make a difference—learning and using even a few words supports preservation and raises awareness. By speaking, sharing, and documenting these languages, we contribute to keeping them alive for future generations.

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Endangered Languages Northeast China

Endangered Languages Northeast China

This region includes Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, and eastern Inner Mongolia. It is home to several endangered languages from diverse language families.

Endangered languages in Northeastern China are mostly the Tungusic and Mongolic. Also a few critically endangered include Hezhen, Uilta, and Manchu.

Northeast China is home to several endangered languages spoken by ethnic minorities such as the Manchu, Xibe, Evenki, and Oroqen. These languages carry the cultural identity and historical knowledge of their people, but they are rapidly declining due to the widespread use of Mandarin Chinese. While preservation efforts exist, including language revitalization programs and digital archives, fluent speakers are decreasing.

1. Manchu

  • Classification: Tungusic (a branch of the Altaic family).
  • Speakers: Fewer than 20 fluent speakers, mostly elderly, in Heilongjiang Province (Sanjiazi and Dawujia villages).
  • Status: Critically endangered. Most ethnic Manchu people (approx. 10 million) no longer speak the language.
  • Preservation Efforts:
    • Local schools in Sanjiazi offer Manchu language classes.
    • Linguists and the Chinese government have documented Manchu, creating dictionaries and digitizing historical texts.
    • Online learning platforms and social media have emerged to support revitalization.

2. Xibe (Sibe)

  • Classification: Tungusic, closely related to Manchu.
  • Speakers: Approximately 30,000, concentrated in Qapqal County, Xinjiang, but some reside in Liaoning.
  • Status: Vulnerable. The younger generation is shifting to Mandarin.
  • Preservation Efforts:
    • Xibe is taught in some schools in Qapqal.
    • Regional broadcasts and publications in Xibe exist but are declining.

3. Oroqen

  • Classification: Tungusic.
  • Speakers: Estimated 1,200–3,000, primarily in Inner Mongolia and Heilongjiang.
  • Status: Critically endangered. Speakers are mainly elderly, and younger generations are adopting Mandarin.
  • Preservation Efforts:
    • Government funding for documentation projects, including a dictionary and recordings.
    • Cultural festivals help maintain traditions but rarely emphasize the language.

4. Evenki (Ewenke)

  • Classification: Tungusic.
  • Speakers: Approx. 10,000 in China, mainly in Inner Mongolia and Heilongjiang. Only a fraction are fluent.
  • Status: Endangered. Modern education systems discourage Evenki use.
  • Preservation Efforts:
    • Recorded folklore and oral traditions.
    • Local initiatives aim to preserve Evenki storytelling and songs.
    • Governmental support exists but focuses more on cultural than linguistic preservation.

5. Hezhen (Nanai)

  • Classification: Tungusic.
  • Speakers: Fewer than 300, mostly elderly, in Heilongjiang.
  • Status: Critically endangered. Younger generations overwhelmingly speak Mandarin.
  • Preservation Efforts:
    • The Chinese government has designated Hezhen as “intangible cultural heritage” and funded documentation projects.
    • A few Hezhen schools exist, but community interest is limited.

6. Daur

  • Classification: Mongolic.
  • Speakers: About 9,000 fluent speakers, primarily in Inner Mongolia and Heilongjiang.
  • Status: Vulnerable. Use is declining as younger speakers shift to Mandarin or Mongolian.
  • Preservation Efforts:
    • Linguistic documentation has been carried out by Chinese researchers.
    • Cultural centers promote Daur traditional arts, but language programs remain rare.

7. Uilta (Orok)

  • Classification: Tungusic.
  • Speakers: Fewer than 20 in China (located on the border with Russia in Heilongjiang).
  • Status: Critically endangered. Uilta is more commonly spoken in Russia.
  • Preservation Efforts:
    • Minimal efforts in China due to the extremely small speaker base.
    • International linguists have documented the language, including cross-border efforts with Russia.

8. Monguor (Tu)

  • Classification: Mongolic.
  • Speakers: Around 190,000, with small communities in northeast Inner Mongolia.
  • Status: Endangered. Monguor is losing speakers to Mandarin.
  • Preservation Efforts:
    • Some cultural preservation projects exist, but they rarely include language-specific programs.
    • Documentation efforts by Chinese linguists have resulted in grammar and vocabulary studies.

Summary of Northeast China

The endangered languages in this region belong mostly to the Tungusic and Mongolic families, with a few critically endangered languages like Hezhen, Uilta, and Manchu. The main challenges include language shift to Mandarin, the lack of intergenerational transmission, and insufficient resources for revitalization. (more…)

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African endangered languages-Kxoe-N|uu-Ik

African endangered languages-Kxoe-N|uu-and Ik (excluding Ethiopia) Preserving at risk languages in Africa. Today we explore these three languages:

  1. Kxoe (Namibia, Botswana, Angola) – Khoisan language with dwindling speakers.
  2. N|uu (South Africa) – One of the last surviving San languages.
  3. Ik (Uganda) – A small, isolated community speaks it.

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