Bunu, Jiongnai

PNU

threatened

Alternate Names: Hualan Yao, Jiongnai, Jiongnaihua, Kiong Nai, Punu, Qiungnai

Dialects: None known. Very different from and unintelligible to surrounding Yao and other Bunu speakers. Lexical similarity: 52% with Bu-Nao Bunu ,.

Status Notes: Language of recognized nationality: Yao.

Genealogy:

Hmong-Mien
Hmongic
Bunu

Demographics: 1,080 (1999 Mao Zongwu). 270 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 1,500 (Bradley 2007).

Language Use: Vigorous in most families. All domains. All ages. Neutral attitudes. Also use Hmong Njua [hnj], Iu Mien [ium], Lakkia [lbc], Mandarin Chinese [cmn].

Language Development: Grammar.

Nation of Origin: China

Other Comments: Ethnonym: Hualan Yao by Han Chinese, Patterned Blue Yao (from womens’ traditional dress). Bunu is a cover term for separate languages. Daoist, traditional religion.