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The language spoken by the Li ethnic group in the southernmost Chinese province of Hainan is under threat due to the prevalence of Putonghua, the official Chinese language, experts have warned.

No more than half of the 1 million Li people in Hainan can speak the authentic Li language or dialect according to experts from the Hainan Provincial Committee of China Association for Promoting Democracy. The committee is composed of intellectuals working in the fields of culture, education, publishing and science.

Li dialect, a language only found in the island province, is the most unique language in the Zhuang-Dong branch of the Chinese-Tibetan language family. The latest studies show that it has a close relationship with the languages of Malay in Malaysia, Tagalog in the Philippines and Gaoshan dialect spoken in China's island province Taiwan.

Research into the dialect will assist with the study of the immigration history of Hainan people and their relationship with other ethnic groups in Southeast Asian nations, experts say.

Experts with the committee have suggested linguists should fully study the Li language by recording existing folk tales and songs of the people. They also advised the local government to set up a special task force and allocate special funds to preserve the endangered Li dialect.

The Li people, together with the Zhuang, Bouyei, Dong and Dai ethnic groups, can trace their origins back to the ancient 'Yue' -- a people who inhabited the areas which are now south China's Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

The Yue people moved to the Hainan Island and became the Li ethnic group. However, the Li people's language is different from that spoken by other descendants of the Yue who live in other parts of the country. A written form for the Li language was worked out in 1957.

The Li people are mainly work in farming but are also they also produce handicrafts, are involved in farming and commerce. They live in the scenic sub-tropical zone which is ideal for growing crops. Marine products also are abundant in the area.

The women are highly skilled in weaving and embroidery. They make beautiful scarves, bedclothes and other products decorated with brightly colored patterns of birds, animals, flowers and figures. The exquisite Li brocade is much sought after. 

Singing is also part of their lives. Men and women, both old and young, seem to be able to compose and sing songs in a wholly impromptu fashion. The Li folk songs are melodious and expressive. Their musical instruments include mouth harps, nose flutes and multi-piped flutes.

(China Daily March 14, 2006)