Dzao Min language

Dzao Min
Ba Pai
Native to	China
Native speakers	unknown (60,000 cited 1995)
Language family	Hmong–Mien Mienic Dzao Min
Language codes
ISO 639-3	bpn
Glottolog	dzao1238

Dzao Min (Chinese: 藻敏), is a Hmong–Mien language of China. Mao (2004:306) reports a total of more than 60,000 speakers in Liannan County and Yangshan County of Guangdong, and in Yizhang County of Hunan. The speakers from Bapai, Guangdong are also called Bapai Yao (八排瑶族).

Distribution

The Chenzhou Prefecture Gazetteer (1996) reports that there are 1,200 "Bapai Yao" or "Zao Min" (藻敏) in Huangjiapan Village 黄家畔村, Mangshan Township 莽山乡, Yizhang County, Hunan. They are reported to have migrated from Taipingdong 太平洞, Chengjia District 称架区, Yangshan County, Guangdong in the 16th century.

Long Guoyi (2011) covers the six Zao Min dialects of Daping 大坪, Junliao 军寮, Mangshan 莽山, Nan'gang 南岗, Panshi 盘石, and Youling 油岭. Long reports that other than in Liannan County, small pockets of Zao Min speakers are located in:

• Taipingdong Village, Chengjia District, Yangshan County 阳山县秤架区太平洞村
• Huangjiabang Village, Mangshan Township, Yizhang County 宜章县莽山乡黄家塝村
• Longxi Village, Dongping Township, Ruyuan County 乳源县东坪镇龙溪村
• Lianshan County 连山壮族瑶族自治县
• Yangchun 阳春县 (in Guigang 圭岗镇 and Yongning 永宁镇)

References

• 毛宗武 / Mao Zongwu. 2004. 瑤族勉语方言研究 / Yao zu Mian yu fang yan yan jiu [A Study of Mien Dialects]. Beijing: 民族出版社 / Min zu chu ban she.