Luobohe Miao language


Luobohe Miao, a.k.a. Hmjo or A-Hmyo, is a Miao language of China.

Distribution

According to Chen Qiguang, there are more than 50,000 speakers in Kaiyang, Fuquan, Longli, Guiding, Weng'an, and other counties of southeastern Guizhou.

Phonology

Luobo River Miao has an unusually small number of tones for a Hmongic language, with just three: high 5, rising 24, and falling 31.

Xijia

Xijia 西家, a variety of Luobohe Miao, had 1,300 speakers as of 2000 in 21 villages surrounding Kaili City, Guizhou, and in Pingzhai Village 平寨村 of Longchang Township 龙厂乡, and Xiangma 响马村, Loumiao 娄苗菜, and Fuzhuang Villages of Lushan Township 卢山乡. It is also spoken in Majiatun Township 马家屯乡 and Dabaomu Township 大保姆乡 of Kaili City. The Xijia of Shiban Village 石板寨村, Dafengdong Township 大风洞乡, Kaili cannot communicate with the neighboring Ge people.
According to Chen Qiguang, the Xijia numbered 1,941 people as of 1983, and were distributed in Laojunzhai 老君寨, Majiatun 马家屯, Shibanzhai 石板寨, and Daxiao Baoben 大小泡 of Kaili City.
Within Luobohe, Xijia is classified as "Dialect 1". while Yejipo Miao 野鸡坡话 is classified as "Dialect 2". Chen's data was collected by Luo Daoqin 罗道钦 from Shibanzhai 石板寨 in 1983. Additionally, a Miao variety spoken in Gusa 谷撒寨, Sizhai Village 四寨村, Xinpu Township 新铺乡, Guiding County, Guizhou belongs to the "Dialect 2" cluster.