Alternate Names: Guanyingqiao, Western Jiarong, Zhongzhai
Dialects: Ere, Ergali, Guanyingqiao, Muerzong, Siyaowu, Taiyanghe, Xiaoyili, Yelong. Phonologically Western and Northern are fairly similar and differ greatly from Eastern. Lexical similarity: 60% between Western and Northern Jiarong dialects.
Status Notes: Language of recognized nationality: Tibetan.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 50,000 (1993 Lin).
Language Development: Grammar.
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.