Languages of China - Spoken Languages

Spoken Languages

The spoken languages of nationalities that are a part of the People's Republic of China belong to at least nine families:

  • The Sino-Tibetan family: 28 nationalities (including the Han and Tibetans)
  • The Tai–Kadai family: several languages spoken by the Zhuang, the Buyei, the Dai people, the Dong people, and the Hlai (Li people). Considered a branch of Sino-Tibetan in China.
  • The Hmong–Mien family
  • The Turkic family: Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Salars, etc.
  • The Mongolic family: Mongols, Dongxiang, and related groups
  • The Tungusic family: Manchus (formerly), Hezhe, etc.
  • The Austroasiatic family: 4 (the De'ang, Blang, Gin (Vietnamese), and Wa)
  • The Indo-European family: 2 (the Russians and Tajiks). There is also a heavily Persian-influenced Äynu language spoken by the Äynu people in southwestern Xinjiang who are officially considered Uyghurs.
  • The Austronesian family: 1 official nationality (the Gaoshan, who speak many languages), 1 unofficial (the Utsuls, who speak the Tsat language but are considered Hui.)

Below are lists of ethnic groups in China by linguistic classification. Ethnicities not on the official PRC list of 56 ethnic groups are italicized. Respective Pinyin transliterations and simplified Chinese characters are also given.

Read more about this topic:  Languages Of China

Famous quotes containing the words spoken and/or languages:

    “See, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but will proceed no further.”
    —Bible: Hebrew, Job 40:4-5.

    Job to God.

    “People in places many of us never heard of, whose names we can’t pronounce or even spell, are speaking up for themselves. They speak in languages we once classified as “exotic” but whose mastery is now essential for our diplomats and businessmen. But what they say is very much the same the world over. They want a decent standard of living. They want human dignity and a voice in their own futures. They want their children to grow up strong and healthy and free.”
    —Hubert H. Humphrey (1911–1978)