Information from: “山蘇彞語研究 [Studies on the Hlersu language]” . Xu, Xianmin 許鮮明, and Bibo Bai 白碧波 (2013) Ethnic Publishing House (民族出版社)
Vulnerable
100 percent certain, based on the evidence available
~15000
15737
95% of the ethnic Hlersu can speak their heritage language. A majority of them live in remote mountainous regions, and the literacy within the communities is very low.
DATE OF INFO
2010
DOMAINS OF USE
SPEAKER NUMBER TRENDS
TRANSMISSION
MORE ON VITALITY
Most group members speak Hlersu as their dominant language. Only those living in Yulongzhai 玉龍寨 have intergenerational transmission problem.
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
no
INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT
no
OTHER LANGUAGES USED BY THE COMMUNITY
Nasu; Nisu; Niesu; Mandarin
LANGUAGE CONTEXT COMMENTS
Only educated people can speak Mandarin, and people above 50 are usually illiterate. Nasu, Nisu, and Niesu, all of which are Loloish, are used in daily life when interacting with outside members.
PLACES
Yunnan 雲南, China
LOCATION DESCRIPTION
Xinping 新平, Yuanjiang 元江, and Esan 峨山 Autonomous Counties governed by Yuxi City 玉溪市
Information from: “East and Southeast Asia” (349-424) . David Bradley (2007) , C. Moseley · London & New York: Routledge
Vulnerable
20 percent certain, based on the evidence available
15,000
Classified in the Yi nationality. Hlersu is the group's autonym. Shansu (or in the local pronunciation Sansu) is the Nisu (and hence Chinese) name for this group. Lesu is the Chesu name for them.
OTHER LANGUAGES USED BY THE COMMUNITY
Chinese
Nisu
LANGUAGE CONTEXT COMMENTS
Some Nisu and Chesu speak Sansu, and some Sansu speak Nisu and/or Chesu.
PLACES
Yunnan, China
LOCATION DESCRIPTION
Northwest Xinping County; also scattered in adjacent areas of Shuangbai, Jinping, Shiping, Zhenyuan and Eshan counties.
Information from: “Ethnologue: Languages of the World, 16th Edition (2009)” . M. Paul Lewis · SIL International
Threatened
20 percent certain, based on the evidence available