Lashi language

Lashi (endonym Lachik) is a Burmish language. It is according to Nishi (1999: 70) in the Maruic branch, which preserves the preglottalized initials of Proto-Burmish in the most phonotactic environments.

Data on Lashi is available in the followining publications (Luce 1985: Charts S, T, V; Huang et al. 1992; Wannemacher 1995-7, as cited in Mann 1998, and Yabu 1988).

Chashan 茶山, a language closely related to Lashi, is spoken in Pianma Township 片马镇, Lushui County, Yunnan, China, in Xiapianma 下片马, Gangfang 岗房, and Gulang 古浪 villages (Dai, et. al. 2009).^[2] In Pianma Township, there are 587 Chashan people officially classified as ethnic Lisu. The local people consider the Chashan to be a separate ethnic group. Their autonym is Echang 峨昌, similar to that of the Achang.

Distribution

In China, Lashi (Leqi) speakers are distributed in Mang City (formerly Luxi County), Ruili City, Longchuan County, and Yingjiang County of western Yunnan province (Dai 2007:5). Mang City has the most Lashi speakers, who are distributed in the following townships.

• Manghai 芒海镇
• Zhongshan 中山乡
• Dongshan 东山乡
• Santai 三台乡 (in Gonglin 拱岭寨 and Manggang 芒岗寨 villages)

Lashi is also spoken in eastern Shan State, Burma.

References

• Dai Qingxia (2007). Leqiyu Yanjiu [A study of Lashi]. Beijing: Minzu University.
• Huang Bufan 黃布凡, ed. (1992). 藏緬語族語言詞匯 Zangmianyuzu yuyan cihui / A Tibeto-Burman Lexicon. Beijing: 中央民族大學出版社 Zhongyang minzu daxue chubanshe, 1992.
• Luce, G. H. (1985). Phases of Pre-Pagán Burma: Languages and History. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Mann, Noel Walter (1998). A phonological reconstruction of Proto Northern Burmic. Unpublished thesis. Arlington: The University of Texas.
• Wannemacher, Mark W. (1995-7). Notes on Achang, Atsi, Jinghpaw, Lashi, and Maru. (unpublished manuscript cited by Mann 1998).
• Yabu Shirō 藪 司郎 (1987). "The Lashi Language of Burma: a brief description." Burma and Japan: basic studies on their cultural and social structure. Tokyo: Toyota Foundation. 47-53.
• Yabu Shirō 藪 司郎 (1988). A preliminary report on the study of the Maru, Lashi and Atsi languages of Burma. In Yoshiaki Ishizawa (ed.), Historical and cultural studies in Burma, 65-132. Tokyo: Institute of Asian Studies, Sophia University.