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Glite Dictionary
Qiangic language

Qiangic language

9.9
A group of related languages spoken mainly in Sichuan, China
  • noun
  • Specialized
: idioma qiánguico
  • Many villagers in Sichuan still speak a Qiangic language as their first language.

Examples

  • The Qiangic language family includes several dialects.

  • The Qiangic language family is known for its complex system of tones and sounds.

  • Linguists are working to document the endangered Qiangic language varieties before they disappear.

  • Many people in Sichuan speak a Qiangic language.

  • Linguists are working to document the endangered Qiangic language varieties before they disappear.

  • Many villagers in Sichuan still speak a Qiangic language as their first language.

  • The Qiangic language family is known for its complex system of tones and sounds.

Synonyms

Qiangic
vsQiangic language
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of languages related to Tibetan and Burmese spoken mainly in Sichuan, China

has identical meaning but uses the term group rather than branch

Surface Forms

Qiangic language singular
Qiangic languages plural

Morphology

Qiangic + language

This is a straightforward modifier+noun composition: 'Qiangic' identifies the group and 'language' denotes a language, so a learner who knows both constituents will understand it refers to the language(s) of the Qiangic group. The pattern is a basic, cross-linguistic noun phrase construction with no idiomatic shift, making the meaning directly derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Qiangic language comes from the name of the Qiang people plus the ending -ic, which means 'related to'. So it literally names the group of related languages spoken mainly in Sichuan, China.