A Study of Naxi Language Loss in Dayan Town, Lijiang from an Anthropological Perspective
The article examines Naxi language loss in Dayan Town, Lijiang, from an anthropological perspective. It argues that language is the main carrier of culture, and cultural change often appears first as language change. Based on one month of fieldwork, the author analyzes the current status and causes of Naxi language attrition. Dayan Town is the political, economic, and cultural center of Lijiang, with a largely Naxi population. However, daily communication is dominated by Mandarin Chinese, while Naxi is mixed with other languages and dialects. In-migration from surrounding areas, tourism, and contact with outsiders have increased the use of Mandarin and foreign languages, especially among younger people. The study also surveyed about 1,660 basic Naxi vocabulary items across various social groups. The author calls for attention to Naxi language and cultural heritage preservation.
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