Biao

BYK

vigorous

Alternate Names: Gang Bau, Kang Bau, Kang Beu, Kang Pau

Dialects: Minor dialect differences, but all mutually intelligible.

Status Notes: Language of recognized nationality: Han.

Genealogy:

Tai-Kadai
Kam-Tai
Kam-Sui

Demographics: 80,000 (Liang Min and Zhang Junru 2002). 10,000 monolinguals. Women and small children are monolingual. Ethnic population: 120,000.

Language Use: Vigorous. All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. With Biao people, Biao usually used. Most Biao have frequent contact with Chinese-speaking Han and Zhuang people, and then use a local Yue Chinese [yue] dialect, often Bai hua.

Language Development: There is an effort to use more standard Mandarin in schools in the Biao area. Grammar.

Writing System: Unwritten

Nation of Origin: China

Other Comments: Consider themselves a distinct ethnic group from Chinese-speaking Han people around them. Traditional religion, Buddhist, Daoist.