Phukha language

Last updated
Phukha
Phula
Native to China, Vietnam
Ethnicity18,000 Phula people (undated – 2009) [1]
Native speakers
100,000 (2008–2011) [1]
Sino-Tibetan
Language codes
ISO 639-3 phh
Glottolog phuk1235
ELP Phula
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Phukha is a Loloish language spoken by the Phula people of Vietnam and China. [1]

Contents

Distribution

Phukha is spoken near Lao Cai town; Xin Mun District of Ha Giang Province and Lai Chau and Son La Provinces in Vietnam and villages in Maguan, Malipo and Hekou Counties in China. Phula people in Yen Bai Province do not speak Phukha but speak Laghuu.

Phonology

Consonants

Phukha has the following consonants. [2]

Labial Coronal Retroflex Palatal Velar Uvular
Plain Lateral Sibilant
Plosive/
Affricate
Aspirated tɬʰtsʰtʂʰtʃʰ
Voiceless p t ts k
Voiced b d ɡ
Fricative Voiceless f s ɬ ʂ ʃ χ
Voiced v z ɮ ʐ ʒ ʁ
Laryngealized ʒ̰
Nasal m n ŋ
Approximant w l j

Vowels

Phukha has the following vowels. [2]

front central back
unroundedrounded
High i ɨ ɯ u
High-mid e ə o
Low-mid ɛ ʌ ɔ
Low a

Tones

Phukha has five tones: [2] high /˥/ (/55/), mid /˧/ (/33/), low /˨/ (/22/), low-rising /˨˦/ (/24/), and low-falling /˨˩/ (/21/).

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Phukha at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
  2. 1 2 3 Pelkey 2005.

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References