Axi language

Axi (Chinese: 阿细 Axi; Ahi; autonym: ɑ21 ɕi55 pʰo21) is one of the Loloish languages spoken by the Yi people of China. The Axi are one of the main linguistic sub-branches of Yi, and the Axi tiaoyue is a dance of the Axi speaking Yi people accompanied by the sanhu.^[2]

Axi is spoken in Mile, Shilin, Kunming, Luxi, and Huaning counties by about 110,000 speakers.^[3]

Dialects

Wu (2014) divides Axi into three dialects and also provides word lists for each of the three dialects.^[4]

• The Western dialect 西阿土语 (approximately 75,000 speakers) is spoken in Mile (in Xishan 西山, Dongshan 东山, Midong 弥东, Jiangbian 江边, Buqi 补七); Qiubei (some areas), Lunan, Luxi, Huaning counties, etc.
• The Yanshan dialect 砚阿土语 (approximately 72,000 speakers) is spoken in Yanshan, Qiubei (some areas), Wenshan counties, etc.
• The Kunming dialect 昆阿土语 (approximately 23,000 speakers) is spoken in Kunming (Xishan, in Shuangshao 双哨; Anning); Luquan, Wuding counties, etc.

Phonology

See also

• Axi word list (Wiktionary)

References