Qabiao language


Qabiao, or sometimes Laqua is a Kra language spoken by the Qabiao people in northern Vietnam and Yunnan, China. Alternative names for Qabiao include Kabeo, Ka Beo, Ka Bao, Ka Biao, Laqua, Pubiao and Pen Ti Lolo. The meaning of the name "Qabiao" is unknown.
The Qabiao language is highly endangered. Also, most of its speakers lack access to nearby potable water.
Maza, a Lolo–Burmese language spoken near the Qabiao area, is notable for having a Qabiao substratum.

Geographic distribution

In Vietnam, Qabiao is spoken in Đồng Văn District, Hà Giang Province in Phố Là and Sủng Chéng villages, and perhaps also in Yên Minh and Mèo Vạc Districts.
Tran reports that Qabiao is spoken in the following locations of Ha Giang Province.
The Pu Péo of Vietnam claim that they had traditionally lived in the following villages in Vietnam and China.
In China, Qabiao is spoken in Tiechang Township 铁厂镇 and Donggan Township 懂干镇 in Malipo County, Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan. Many Qabiao people have shifted to Southwestern Mandarin, although it is still spoken in villages such as Pufeng 普峰.

Phonology

The Qabiao language has the following tones: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2, D1, D2.
Like White Gelao and Buyang, Qabiao has sesquisyllables, which are not present in most Kra-Dai languages.