Lizu language



Lizu (Western Ersu) is a Qiangic language spoken in Western Sichuan, China. There are 4,000 speakers according to Sun (1982) and 7,000 speakers according to Chirkova (2008). Muli, where Lizu is spoken, is a multi-ethnic and multi-lingual county and Lizu has been historically influenced by Mandarin Chinese.

Varieties
Yu (2009: 2) lists the following varieties of Lizu:
 * Mianning Lizu: spoken in Lagusa 拉姑萨 Village (Lizu name `wontʂʰɨ `lombɑ), He’ai (“Hoŋai”) 和爱 Township, Mianning County 冕宁, Liangshan 凉山 Prefecture. Documented by Yu (2012).
 * Kala Lizu: spoken in Kala 卡拉 Township, Muli County 木里, Liangshan Prefecture. Documented by Chirkova (2008); Huáng and Rénzēng (1991); and Dài and Huáng (1992).
 * Naiqu Lizu: spoken in Naiqu 乃渠 Village, Naiqu Township, Jiulong County 九龙, Garzê (Gānzī 甘孜) Prefecture. Documented by Ikeda (2009).