Be Language - Wikipedia

Kra–Dai languages spoken in China This article is about a pair of languages in China. For the language with ISO code be, see Belarusian language.

Be
Lingao
Native to	China
Region	Hainan
Native speakers	(600,000 cited 2000)[1]
Language family	Kra–Dai Kam–Tai? Be–Tai?[2] Be–Jizhao?[3][4] Be
Language codes
ISO 639-3	onb
Glottolog	ling1270

Be (native pronunciation: [ʔɑŋ˧ɓe˧]), also known as Ong Be, Bê, or Vo Limgao (Chinese: 臨高話; pinyin: Lín'gāohuà), is a pair of languages spoken by 600,000 people, 100,000 of them monolingual, on the north-central coast of Hainan Island, including the suburbs of the provincial capital Haikou. The speakers are counted as part of the Han Chinese nationality in census. According to Ethnologue, it is taught in primary schools.[5]

Names

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Be speakers refer to themselves as ʔaŋ³³vo³³, with ʔaŋ³³ being the prefix for persons and vo³³ meaning 'village'.[6] Liang (1997) notes that it is similar to the autonym ŋaːu¹¹fɔːn¹¹ (from ŋaːu¹¹ 'person' and fɔːn¹¹ 'village'), by which Gelong 仡隆 (Cun language) speakers refer to themselves.

Classification

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The Be languages are a pair of Kra–Dai languages, but its precise relationship to other branches within the Kra-Dai family has yet not been conclusively determined. Hansell (1988)[2] considers Be to be a sister of the Tai branch based on shared vocabulary, and proposes a Be–Tai grouping.

Based on toponymic evidence from place names with the prefix dya- (调 diao), Jinfang Li considers Be to have originated from the Leizhou peninsula of Guangdong province.[7] Liang (1997:16) considers Be to have migrated to Hainan from the Leizhou Peninsula of Guangdong about 2,500 years ago during the Warring States Period, but not over 3,000 years ago. Liang & Zhang (1996:21–25)[8] also believe that Be had migrated from the Leizhou Peninsula to northern Hainan about 2,500 years ago during the Warring States period.

Weera Ostapirat (1998),[9] analyzing data from Zhang (1992),[10] notes that Be and Jizhao share many lexical similarities and sound correspondences, and that Jizhao may be a remnant Be-related language in China.

Dialects

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Be consists of the Lincheng (临城, Western) and Qiongshan (琼山, Eastern) dialects.[11] Liang (1997:32) documents the following varieties of Be.

• Lingao County, including Lincheng (临城镇) and Xinying (新盈镇) towns
• Bailian (白莲), Chengmai County
• Longtang Township (龙塘镇), Qiongshan District

Be of Chengmai is intermediate between the Lincheng and Qiongshan dialects, and has features of both.[11]

Chen (2018) contains extensive comparative lexical data for the Be dialects of Changliu (長流), Yongxing (永興), Longtang (龍塘), Qiaotou (橋頭), Huangtong (皇桐), and Xinying (新盈). The Qiaotou, Huangtong, and Xinying dialects are unintelligible with the Changliu, Yongxing, Longtang, and Shishan (石山) dialects. Chen (2018) also reconstructs Proto-Ong-Be on the basis of this comparative lexical data.

Classification

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Chen (2018: 82) classifies the Ong-Be dialects into two groups, which are mutually unintelligible with each other.

• Ong-Be
  • Western Ong-Be
    • Qiaotou 桥头
    • Huangtong 皇桐
    • Maniao 马尿
    • Lincheng 凌城
    • Jialai 加來
    • Meiliang 美良
    • Xinying 新盈
  • Eastern Ong-Be
    • Longtang 龙塘
    • Longqiao 龙橋
    • Longquan 龙泉 (formerly Shizilu 十字路)
    • Yongxing 永兴
    • Shishan 石山
    • Changliu 长流
    • Laocheng 老城

Schmitz (2024) suggests three dialects:

• Ong-Be (Lingao)
  • Lingao County Lingao
    • Bohou 博厚
    • Jialai 加来
    • Lincheng 临城
  • Chengmai County Lingao
  • Haikou City Lingao

Phonology

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Consonants

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Initials

[edit] Be consonant initials

Labial	Alveolar	(Alveolo-)palatal	Velar	Glottal
Plosive	voiceless	(p)	t	k	ʔ
	glottalized	ʔb	ʔd
Affricate		ts
Fricative	voiceless	f	s	(ɕ)	x	h
	voiced	v
Nasal		m	n	ȵ	ŋ
Approximant		l	j

• [p] is mainly heard in finals, rarely in initials.
• /s/ can also be heard as [ɕ] in free variation.
• /f/ can be heard as [pʰ] in the dialect of Xindengyi.

Finals

[edit] Be consonant finals

Labial	Alveolar	Velar	Glottal
Plosive	p	t	k	ʔ
Nasal	m	n	ŋ

Vowels

[edit] Be vowels

Front	Central	Back
High	i	u
Mid	e	ə	o
	(ɛ)	(ɐ)	ɔ
Low	a

• Vowels in word-initial position are phonetically heard beginning with a glottal [ʔ].
• An open-mid vowel [ɛ] occurs in the Chengmai and Qiongshan dialects.
• A near-open central vowel sound [ɐ] also occurs in the Qiongshan dialect.[12]

Tones

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Be is a tonal language. It has 5 tones:

• Rising (¹)
• High (²)
• Mid (³)
• Low (⁴)
• Mid checked (⁷)

The Bolian dialect has also a high checked tone (⁸).

See also

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• List of Proto-Ong-Be reconstructions (Wiktionary)

References

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1. ^ Be at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
2. ^ a b Hansell, Mark (1988). "The Relation of Be to Tai: Evidence from Tones and Initials". In Edmondson, Jerold A.; Solnit, David B. (eds.). Comparative Kadai: Linguistic Studies Beyond Tai. Publications in Linguistics No. 86. Summer Institute of Linguistics and The University of Texas at Arlington. pp. 239–288.
3. ^ Ostapirat, W. (1998). A Mainland Bê Language? / 大陆的Bê语言？. Journal of Chinese Linguistics, 26(2), 338-344
4. ^ Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin; Bank, Sebastian (2023-07-10). "Glottolog 4.8 - Beic". Glottolog. Leipzig: Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. doi:10.5281/zenodo.7398962. Archived from the original on 2023-10-20. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
5. ^ "Lingao". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2018-12-18.
6. ^ Liang 1997, p. 1.
7. ^ Tan, Xiaoshu 谭晓舒 (2015-04-22). "Lǐ Jǐnfāng jiàoshòu: "Bīnwēi yǔyán jízhào huà yánjiū"" 李锦芳教授：“濒危语言吉兆话研究”. Wén xuéyuàn 文学院. Archived from the original on 2021-06-13. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
8. ^ Liang, Min 梁敏; Zhang, Junru 张均 (1996). Dòng-Tái yǔzú gàilùn 侗台语族概论 [An Introduction to the Kam–Tai Languages] (in Chinese). Beijing: Zhongguo shehui kexue chubanshe. ISBN 7-5004-1681-4.
9. ^ Ostapirat, Weera (1998). "A Mainland Bê Language? / Dàlù de bê yǔyán?". Journal of Chinese Linguistics. 26 (2): 338–344. JSTOR 23756759.
10. ^ Zhang, Zhenxing 张振兴 (1992). "Guǎngdōngshěng wúchuān fāngyán jì lüè" 广东省吴川方言记略. Fāngyán 方言 (in Chinese). 1992 (3).
11. ^ a b Liang 1997.
12. ^ Zhang, Yuansheng; Ma, Jialin; Wen, Mingying; Wei, Xinglang (1985). Hǎinán Língāo huà 海南临高话 (in Chinese). Nanning: Guangxi minzu chubanshe.

Works cited

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• Liang, Min 梁敏 (1997). Língāo yǔ yánjiū 临高语研究 [A Study of Lingao] (in Chinese). Shanghai: Shanghai yuandong chubanshe 上海远东出版社.
• Chen, Yen-ling (2018). Proto-Ong-Be (PDF) (Ph.D. dissertation). University of Hawaii at Manoa. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2023-06-05. Retrieved 2019-01-17.

• Schmitz, Timo. 2024. Family Tree: Tai-Kadai Languages. {url=https://www.academia.edu/114687690/Family_Tree_Tai_Kadai_Languages}

Further reading

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• Zhang, Yuansheng 张元生. 1985. Hainan Lingaohua 海南临高话. Nanning: Guangxi People's Publishing House 广西民族出版社.

External links

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• ABVD: Ong Be word list
• Ong Be–language Swadesh vocabulary list of basic words (from Wiktionary's Swadesh-list appendix)

v t e Languages of China
Official	Standard Chinese
Regional	ARs / SARs CantoneseHK/MC EnglishHK MongolianNM PortugueseMC TibetanXZ UyghurXJ ZhuangGX Prefecture Hmong Kam Bouyei Tujia Korean Qiang Yi Kyrgyz Kazakh Tai Nüa Tai Lü Zaiwa Lisu Bai Hani Zhuang Counties/Banners numerous
Indigenous	Sino-Tibetan languages Lolo-Burmese Mondzish Kathu Maang Manga Mango Maza Mondzi Muangphe Burmish Achang Chashan Lashi Lhao Vo Pela Xiandao Zaiwa Loloish Hanoish Akeu Akha Amu Angluo Asuo Baihong Bisu Budu Bukong Cosao Duoni Duota Enu Habei Hani Honi Jino Kabie Kaduo Lami Laomian Laopin Mpi Muda Nuobi Nuomei Phana’ Piyo Qidi Sadu Sangkong Suobi Tsukong Woni Yiche Lisoish Eka Hlersu Kua-nsi Kuamasi Laizisi Lalo Lamu Lavu Lawu Limi Lipo Lisu Lolopo Mangdi Micha Mili Sonaga Toloza Xuzhang Yangliu Zibusi Nisoish Alingpo Alugu Aluo Axi Azha Azhe Bokha Gepo Khlula Lope Moji Muji Muzi Nasu Nisu Nuosu Phala Phola Phowa Phukha Phuma Phupa Phupha Phuza Samei Sani Thopho Zokhuo Other Gokhy Katso Kucong Lahu Naruo Namuyi Naxi Nusu Samu Sanie Zauzou Qiangic Baima Choyo Ersu Guiqiong Horpa Japhug Khroskyabs Laze Lizu Na Muya Namuyi Naxi Pumi Northern Qiang Southern Qiang Shixing Situ Tshobdun Zbu Zhaba Tibetic Amdo Baima Basum Central Tibetan Choni Dao Dongwang Drugchu Groma Gserpa Khalong Khams Kyirong Ladakhi Tseku Zhongu Zitsadegu Other Bai Caijia Derung Jingpo Longjia Nung Tujia Waxianghua Other languages Austroasiatic Bit Blang Bolyu Bugan Bumang Hu Kuan Mang Man Met Muak Sa-aak Palaung Riang U Va Wa Hmong–Mien Hmongic A-Hmao Bu-Nao Gejia Guiyang Hm Nai Hmong Hmu Huishui Kiong Nai Luobohe Mashan Pa-Hng Pa Na Pingtang Qo Xiong Raojia Sanqiao Sheyu Small Flowery Xixiu Younuo Mienic Biao Min Dzao Min Iu Mien Kim Mun Mongolic Bonan Buryat Daur Eastern Yugur Kangjia Khamnigan Monguor Oirat Ordos Santa Torgut Kra-Dai Zhuang Bouyei Dai Min Ningming Nong Tai Dam Tai Dón Tai Hongjin Tai Lü Tai Nüa Tai Ya Yang Yei Other Ai-Cham Biao Buyang Cao Miao Chadong Cun Gelao Hlai Jiamao Kam Lakkja Mak Maonan Mulam Naxi Yao Ong Be Paha Qabiao Sui Then Tungusic Evenki Manchu Nanai Oroqen Xibe Turkic Äynu Fuyu Kyrgyz Ili Turki Salar Western Yugur Other Sarikoli (Indo-European) Tsat (Austronesian) Formosan languages (Austronesian)
Minority	Kazakh Korean Kyrgyz Russian Esperanto Tatar Tuvan Uzbek Vietnamese (Kinh) Wakhi
Varieties ofChinese	Danzhou Mandarin Northeastern Beijing Ji-Lu Jiao-Liao Zhongyuan Lan-Yin Jin Southwestern Sichuanese Southeastern Gan Hakka Hui Mai Min Southern Hokkien Teoswa Hainanese Eastern Puxian Central Northern Shaojiang Ping Shaozhou Tuhua Shehua Wu Chu–Qu Jiangshan Qingtian Quzhou Oujiang Taihu Jinxiang Northwestern Changzhou Hangzhou Northern Zhejiang Ningbo Shaoxing Su–Jia–Hu Shanghainese Suzhou Wuxi Taizhou Taizhou proper Wuzhou Jinhua Xuanzhou Xiang New Old Yue Cantonese
Creole/Mixed	E Hezhou Lingling Macanese Maojia Qoqmončaq Tangwang Wutun
Extinct	Ba–Shu Jie Khitan Old Yue Rouran Saka Tangut Tocharian Tuoba Tuyuhun Xianbei Zhangzhung
Sign	Chinese Sign Hong Kong Sign Tibetan Sign
GX = Guangxi HK = Hong Kong MC = Macau NM = Inner Mongolia XJ = Xinjiang XZ = Tibet

v t e Kra–Dai languages
Kra	Laha Lachi Paha Buyang En Qabiao Gelao Vandu A'ou Mulao Hagei Telue Qau
Kam–Sui	Mulam Kam (Dong) Cao Miao Nuoxi (Naxi Yao) Then Maonan Chadong Sui Mak Ai-Cham
Biao	Biao
Lakkia	Lakkia
Hlai	Bouhin Ha Em Lauhut Tongzha Zandui Baoting Cun Nadou Changjiang Moyfaw Baisha Yuanmen
Jiamao	Jiamao
Be–Jizhao	Be Jizhao
Tai(Zhuang, etc.)	Northern Standard Zhuang Bouyei Hezhang Buyi Yei Zhuang Longsang Zhuang E Saek Tai Yo (Nyaw) Yoy Tai Pao Central Nong Zhuang Dai Zhuang Min Zhuang Yang Zhuang Pyang Zhuang Myang Zhuang Nùng Tày Tsʻün-Lao Southwestern(Thai) Northwestern Shan Tai Ya Tai Nuea Tai Long Tai Hongjin Khamti Tai Laing Phake Aiton Khamyang Ahom Turung Lao–Phutai Lao Phu Thai Isan Tai Yo (Nyaw) Lao Nyo Kaloeng Chiang Saen Thai (Siamese) Northern Thai Tai Daeng Tai Meuay Tai Dón Tai Hang Tong Tai Lue Yong Tai Dam Khün Phuan Thai Song Tày Tac Southern Southern Thai (other) Sapa Pa Di Tai Muong Vat Tai Thanh Tai Khang Kuan (mixed) Cao Lan
(mixed origins)	Hezhang Buyi E Cao Lan Jiamao
proposed groupings	Kam–Tai
Proto-languages	Proto-Kra–Dai Proto-Kra Proto-Tai Proto-Kam–Sui Proto-Hlai
Italics indicate extinct languages