Awu language
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Awu | |
|---|---|
| Luyu[1] | |
| Pronunciation | [lu33 ju33 za33][2] |
| Native to | China |
| Region | Yunnan |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | None (mis) |
| Glottolog | sout2719 |
Awu (Chinese: 阿邬) (autonym: lu33 ju33 za33), is an unclassified Loloish language of Yunnan, China.[2] It is spoken in Yuanyang County, Yunnan, China, including in the village of Xiaopingzi 小坪子, Daping Township 大坪乡[3] (Lu & Lu 2011).[2]
Andrew Hsiu (2017)[1] suggests that Awu is related to Lawu of Xinping County, Yunnan, and that the two form a Lawu or Lawoish language branch. The linguistic evidence suggests that the ancestors of the Awu had migrated down the Red River valley from further up northwest, and arrived at their present location after migrating downstream. Lewu, an extinct language, may have been related.
Identity and names
The Awu consider themselves to be a separate ethnic group from the Hani people, including the Nuobi.[2] However, the Awu are officially classified by the Chinese government as a Hani subgroup. On the other hand, the Nuobi refer to themselves as xa31 ni31.[2] The Awu believe that they are culturally more similar to the Kucong, who speak a language similar to Lahu (Lu & Lu 2011:23).
The Awu call themselves lu33 ju33 za33, and are referred to by the Nuobi people as la31 wu33 za31.
