Alternate Names: Bao’an, Baonan, Boan, Paoan, Paongan
Dialects: Jishishan (Dahejia, Dajiahe, Dakheczjha), Tongren (Tungyen). Jishishan subdialects are Ganhetan and Dadun; Tongren subdialects are Nianduhu, Guomari, Gajiuri, and Lower Bao’an. Jishishan dialect has been influenced by Mandarin Chinese ,, Tongren by Tibetan ,. There are phonological and grammatical differences between them, and inherent intelligibility may be low.
Status Notes: Language of recognized nationality: Blang. Speakers of the Jishishan dialect moved from Qinghai Province to Gansu, 1858–1863; officially classified within Bonan nationality.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 6,000. Very few monolinguals. Ethnic population: 24,500. Includes 16,500 Jishishan and 8000 Tongren.
Language Use: Religion, local administration, home; for Tongren, not used for religion. Tongren: all ages. Positive attitudes, except in Tongren. Also use Amdo Tibetan [adx], Mandarin Chinese [cmn].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L2: 44% (2000 census, Baoan nationality). No written language; no desire for one. Amdo Tibetan is local LWC. Chinese required to excel in school and find a good job. Dictionary. Grammar.
Typology: SOV; stress on final syllable; modifiers precede noun heads; Tongren dialect allows onset consonant clusters which resemble Tibetan; Jishishan dialect has Chinese-type syllable structure.
Nation of Origin: China
Other Comments: Muslim (Sunni), Buddhist (Lamaist), traditional religion.