Alternate Names: Bai Ma, Pe
Dialects: Northern Baima (Wenxian Baima), Southern Baima (Pingwu Baima), Western Baima (Jiuzhaigou Baima, Songpan Baima).
Status Notes: Language of recognized nationality: Tibetan.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 10,000 (Bradley 2007). Older adults and a few middle aged are monolingual. Ethnic population: 14,000 (Bradley 2007).
Language Use: Vigorous among adults in Pingwu and Jiuzhaigou counties. All domains. Neutral attitudes. Also use Amdo Tibetan [adx], Mandarin Chinese [cmn].
Language Development: Schools use Chinese. Poetry. Dictionary.
Typology: SOV; initial consonant clusters; no consonantal codas; mostly monosyllabic morphemes; loans from Chinese and Tibetan; tonal, 4 tones.
Nation of Origin: China
Other Comments: The Baima clan has a distinct ethnic identity from other Tibetans. Classified Tibetan, though some scholars consider it in the Tibeto-Burman language family, Qiangic subgroup. Traditional religion.