Alternate Names: Bli, Dai, Day, Dli, Klai, La, Lai, Le, Li, Loi, Slai
Dialects: Bendi (Baisha-Yuanmen, Local Li, Zwn), Ha (Luohua-Hayan-Baoxian), Meifu (Moifau), Qi (Gei, Tongshi-Qiandui-Baocheng). Some dialects may be separate languages. Matisoff (1988) lists 8 varieties: Baoding, Xifang, Tongshi, Baisha, Qiandiu, Heitu, Yuanmen, and Baocheng. Luowo subdialect of Ha dialect is considered the standard. Lexical similarity: 27% with Gelao, 26% with Dong , and Qabiao ,, 25% with Lachi ,.
Status Notes: Language of recognized nationality: Li.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 667,000 (1999 O. Jueya). 160,000 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 1,248,000 (2000 census). Includes about 52,300 Jiamao , speakers.
Language Use: Vigorous. Some local Han can also speak Hlai. All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use Iu Mien [ium], Mandarin Chinese [cmn]. Used as L2 by Cun [cuq].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L2: 88% (2000 census, Li nationality). Dictionary.
Writing System: Latin (Pinyin-based)
Nation of Origin: China
Other Comments: Together with speakers of Jiamao ,. Traditional culture. Traditional religion.