A study of recently discovered Chinese ethnic language linguistics of Zhuang-Dai branch

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to comparing traditional
and recently discovered Chinese ethnic language of Zhuang-
Dai branch: Buyi, Dai and Zhuang languages with Lingao and
Wuse languages. The methodology is synthesizing Chinese
scholar’s research document, presenting ethnology
information, and analyzing the linguistics, respectively. The
finding shows that the Chinese scholars put Buyi, Dai, Zhuang,
Lingao and Wuse into Sino-Tibetan since the words can be
traced to Chinese ancient words called “ancient related
words”. In addition, there are many words that are not related
to Thai language, but they are related to Chinese language.
These words include ancient related words and borrowed
words. Moreover, there are also many grammatical patterns
borrowed from Chinese language. By analyzing ethnology,
phonology, word system and syntax to find similarities and
differences, the finding reveals that Wuse language which
settled in mainland are more similar to traditional ethnic
languages of Zhuang-Dai branch than Lingao which has
separated on the Hainan island.