Alternate Names: Shangzhai, Western Jiarong
Dialects: Dayili, Puxi, Zongke. Phonologically Western and Northern are fairly similar and differ greatly from Eastern. Lexical similarity: 75% between Eastern and Northern Jiarong, 60% between Western and Northern Jiarong.
Status Notes: Language of recognized nationality: Tibetan.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 4,100 (2004).
Typology: SOV; phonologically and lexically similar to Tibetan, grammatically more similar to Pumi and Qiang; complex consonant clusters; limited pitch contrast.
Nation of Origin: China
Other Comments: Buddhist (Lamaist), traditional religion.