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Hmongic languages Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: Hmongic Languages: Classification, Writing Systems, and Sociolinguistics

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Hmongic Languages: Classification, Writing Systems, and Sociolinguistics Study Guide

Overview and Demographics of Hmongic Languages

The Hmongic languages are exclusively spoken by the Miao people, with no other ethnic groups using languages from this family.

Answer: False

Explanation: The source indicates that Hmongic languages are also spoken by non-Mienic-speaking Yao people and ethnic She people, in addition to the Miao people.

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Hmongic languages are geographically distributed across China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source explicitly states that Hmongic languages are geographically distributed across China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.

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The term 'Meo' is widely preferred by overseas Hmong communities, who consider 'Hmong' to be an inaccurate and pejorative designation.

Answer: False

Explanation: Overseas Hmong communities generally prefer 'Hmong' and consider 'Meo' to be pejorative, while 'Meo' is often considered neutral by the Miao community in China.

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The ISO 639-3 code for Hmongic languages is 'miao'.

Answer: False

Explanation: The ISO 639-3 code for Hmongic languages is 'hmn', not 'miao'.

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A-Hmao is locally referred to as 'Flowery Miao' in Chinese contexts.

Answer: True

Explanation: A-Hmao is indeed locally referred to as 'Flowery Miao' in Chinese contexts.

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The Xong language is associated with the 'Black Miao' dress-color name.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Xong language is associated with the 'Red Miao' dress-color name, while the Hmu language is associated with the 'Black Miao' dress-color name.

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The 'Numerals in Hmongic Languages' table provides a comparative overview of numbers from one to ten in Proto-Hmong-Mien and various modern Hmongic languages.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 'Numerals in Hmongic Languages' table offers a comparative linguistic overview of numbers from one to ten in Proto-Hmong-Mien and various modern Hmongic languages, illustrating genetic relationships and lexical divergences.

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According to the 1997 Hunan Province Gazetteer, 'Hmao' is an autonym for Miao peoples in Jingzhou County.

Answer: False

Explanation: According to the 1997 Hunan Province Gazetteer, 'Hmao' is an autonym for Miao peoples in Chengbu County, while 'Hmu' (or 'Nai Mu') is used in Jingzhou County.

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Which of the following ethnic groups are explicitly mentioned as speaking Hmongic languages, in addition to the Miao people?

Answer: Non-Mienic-speaking Yao people and ethnic She people

Explanation: The source states that various Hmongic languages are spoken by non-Mienic-speaking Yao people (e.g., Pa-Hng, Bunu, Jiongnai, Younuo) and the She language is spoken by ethnic She people.

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Why is the name 'Hmong' more widely recognized in the West compared to 'Miao'?

Answer: Due to Hmong emigration, leading to greater recognition of 'Hmong'.

Explanation: The source states that 'Hmong' is more widely recognized in the West due to Hmong emigration, while 'Miao' is the Chinese designation.

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According to Ratliff (2010), what are the approximate speaker numbers for Hmong, Xong, and Hmu languages, respectively?

Answer: Hmong: 3.7 million, Xong: 900,000, Hmu: 2.1 million

Explanation: According to Ratliff (2010), Hmong has approximately 3,712,000 speakers, Xong about 900,000, and Hmu around 2,100,000 speakers.

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What is the ISO 639-3 code for Hmongic languages?

Answer: hmn

Explanation: The ISO 639-3 code for Hmongic languages is 'hmn'.

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Which Hmongic language is referred to as 'Flowery Miao' in local Chinese contexts?

Answer: A-Hmao

Explanation: A-Hmao is locally referred to as 'Flowery Miao' in Chinese contexts.

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What are some common endonyms used by Miao speakers for their languages?

Answer: Hmong, Mong, Hmang, Hmao, Hmyo

Explanation: Miao speakers commonly employ endonyms such as Hmong, Mong, Hmang, Hmao, and Hmyo for their languages.

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Which Hmongic language is associated with the 'Red Miao' dress-color name?

Answer: Xong

Explanation: The Xong language, also known as Western Hunan Miao or North Hmongic, is associated with the descriptive 'Red Miao' dress-color name.

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According to the 1997 Hunan Province Gazetteer, which autonym is used for Miao peoples in Jingzhou County?

Answer: Hmu (or Nai Mu)

Explanation: According to the 1997 Hunan Province Gazetteer, 'Hmu' (or 'Nai Mu') is an autonym for Miao peoples in Jingzhou County.

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Genetic Classification and Subgroups

Hmongic languages form a primary branch of the Hmong–Mien language family, with Proto-Hmongic being their ancestral language.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source confirms that Hmongic languages constitute a primary branch of the Hmong–Mien language family, with Proto-Hmongic as their ancestral language.

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The main subdivisions of Hmongic languages include Bahengic, Sheic, West Hmongic, Xong, and Hmu.

Answer: True

Explanation: The source lists Bahengic, Sheic, West Hmongic (Chuanqiandian Miao), Xong (Western Hunan), and Hmu (Eastern Guizhou) as main subdivisions of Hmongic languages.

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Purnell (1970) categorized the Miao languages into four main subgroups: Eastern, Northern, Central, and Western.

Answer: True

Explanation: Purnell (1970) classified the Miao languages into four principal subgroups: Eastern, Northern, Central, and Western.

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Strecker's (1987) classification identified only three primary branches of Hmongic: West Hunan, East Guizhou, and Sichuan–Guizhou–Yunnan.

Answer: False

Explanation: Strecker's (1987) classification identified more than three primary branches, including West Hunan, East Guizhou, Pa Hng, Hm Nai, Kiong Nai, Yu Nuo, and Sichuan–Guizhou–Yunnan.

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Matisoff (2001) consolidated the Bunu languages into a single group and left the She language unclassified, differing from Strecker (1987).

Answer: True

Explanation: Matisoff (2001) consolidated Bunu languages and left She unclassified, which was a divergence from Strecker's (1987) approach.

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Wang & Deng (2003) were among the first Chinese sources to integrate Bunu languages into Hmongic based on linguistic evidence.

Answer: True

Explanation: Wang & Deng (2003) are noted for being among the few Chinese sources to integrate Bunu languages into Hmongic based on linguistic evidence from statistical analysis of core Swadesh vocabulary.

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Matisoff (2006) suggested that Hmongic languages had a significant influence on the Gelao language.

Answer: True

Explanation: Matisoff (2006) observed evidence of Hmongic linguistic influence on the Gelao language.

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According to Ratliff (2010), the three main components of 'Core Hmongic' are West Hmongic, Xong, and Hmu.

Answer: True

Explanation: Martha Ratliff's (2010) classification identifies West Hmongic (Chuanqiandian), Xong, and Hmu as the three principal components of the 'Core Hmongic' branch.

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Pa-Hng, Jiongnai, and Xong are considered phonologically conservative because they retain many Proto-Hmongic features lost in other daughter languages.

Answer: True

Explanation: Pa-Hng, Jiongnai, and Xong (North Hmongic) are considered phonologically conservative due to their retention of numerous Proto-Hmongic features, including vowel quality and diphthong retention, which have been lost in most other daughter languages.

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Taguchi's (2012) computational phylogenetic study primarily divided Hmongic languages into Pahngic, Southern, and Core Hmongic.

Answer: False

Explanation: Taguchi's (2012) computational phylogenetic study primarily divided Hmongic languages into Pahngic, Northern, and Core Hmongic, not Southern.

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Hsiu's (2015, 2018) computational phylogenetic study classifies Hmongic languages into Pahengic, Xiongic, Sheic, Hmuic, and West Hmongic branches.

Answer: True

Explanation: Hsiu's (2015, 2018) computational phylogenetic study categorizes Hmongic languages into Pahengic, Xiongic, Sheic, Hmuic, and West Hmongic branches.

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What is the linguistic classification of Hmongic languages within the broader Hmong–Mien family?

Answer: They form one of the primary branches, with Mienic languages being the other.

Explanation: Hmongic languages constitute a primary branch of the Hmong–Mien language family, with Mienic languages forming the other primary branch.

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Which of the following is NOT listed as a main subdivision of Hmongic languages in the source?

Answer: South Hmongic

Explanation: The source lists Bahengic, Sheic, West Hmongic, Xong, and Hmu as main subdivisions, but 'South Hmongic' is not explicitly mentioned as a main subdivision.

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Which scholar divided the Miao languages into four main subgroups: Eastern, Northern, Central, and Western in 1970?

Answer: Herbert Purnell

Explanation: Purnell (1970) classified the Miao languages into four principal subgroups: Eastern, Northern, Central, and Western.

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According to Strecker's (1987) classification, which of the following was NOT identified as a primary branch of Hmongic (Miao)?

Answer: Central Hmong (Longli Miao)

Explanation: Strecker's (1987) classification identified West Hunan (Xong), East Guizhou (Mhu), Pa Hng, Hm Nai, Kiong Nai, Yu Nuo, and Sichuan–Guizhou–Yunnan as primary branches. Central Hmong (Longli Miao) was outlined by Matisoff (2006) but not Strecker (1987) as a primary branch.

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Which languages did Matisoff (2001) group under the 'Bunu' branch?

Answer: Younuo, Wunai, Bu–Nao, and Jiongnai

Explanation: Matisoff (2001) categorized Younuo, Wunai, Bu–Nao, and Jiongnai under the 'Bunu' branch.

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What was the significant contribution of Wang & Deng (2003) to Hmongic language classification?

Answer: They were among the few Chinese sources to integrate Bunu languages into Hmongic based on linguistic evidence.

Explanation: Wang & Deng (2003) made a notable contribution by being among the few Chinese sources to integrate the Bunu languages into Hmongic based on rigorous linguistic evidence.

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Which of the following phonological characteristics makes Pa-Hng, Jiongnai, and Xong (North Hmongic) considered conservative?

Answer: They retain many Proto-Hmongic features, including vowel quality and diphthong retention.

Explanation: Pa-Hng, Jiongnai, and Xong are considered phonologically conservative because they retain numerous Proto-Hmongic features, such as vowel quality distinctions and the second component of diphthongs, which are often lost in other Hmongic languages.

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What was the primary division of Hmongic languages in Taguchi's (2012) computational phylogenetic study?

Answer: Pahngic, Northern, and Core Hmongic

Explanation: Taguchi's (2012) computational phylogenetic study primarily segmented Hmongic languages into Pahngic, Northern, and Core Hmongic.

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According to Hsiu's (2015, 2018) computational phylogenetic study, which of these is NOT a main branch of Hmongic languages?

Answer: Bunuic

Explanation: Hsiu's (2015, 2018) computational phylogenetic study classifies Hmongic languages into Pahengic, Xiongic, Sheic, Hmuic, and West Hmongic branches. Bunuic is not listed as a main branch in this classification.

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Hmongic Writing Systems and Literacy

The historical existence of a Hmong writing system is universally accepted among linguists.

Answer: False

Explanation: The historical existence of a Hmong writing system is a subject of scholarly debate, with some linguists contending that no indigenous writing system existed prior to missionary-created scripts.

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Samuel Pollard introduced the Pollard script around 1905, developed for the A-Hmao language and inspired by Canadian Aboriginal syllabics.

Answer: True

Explanation: Samuel Pollard introduced the Pollard script around 1905, which was specifically developed for the A-Hmao language and drew inspiration from Canadian Aboriginal syllabics.

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Shong Lue Yang created the Pahawh Hmong script, a syllabic alphabet for writing Hmong Daw, Hmong Njua, and other standard Hmong dialects.

Answer: True

Explanation: Shong Lue Yang is credited with creating the Pahawh Hmong script, a notable syllabic alphabet designed for the transcription of Hmong Daw, Hmong Njua, and other dialects of the standard Hmong language.

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In the 1950s, the Chinese government developed pinyin-based Latin alphabets for Xong, Hmu, and Chuangqiandian (Hmong) Miao varieties.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Chinese government developed pinyin-based Latin alphabets for Xong, Hmu, and Chuangqiandian (Hmong) Miao varieties in the 1950s, establishing separate written standards.

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The Nyiakeng Puachue Hmong script was created by Reverend Chervang Kong Vang in the 1980s, with characters inspired by the Greek alphabet.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Nyiakeng Puachue Hmong script was created by Reverend Chervang Kong Vang in the 1980s, with characters inspired by Hebrew alphabets, not the Greek alphabet.

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The Pollard script became known as 'Old Miao' after the Chinese government introduced new Latin alphabets in the 1950s, but it remained popular.

Answer: True

Explanation: After the Chinese government introduced new Latin alphabets for A-Hmao in the 1950s, the Pollard script became known as 'Old Miao' and maintained its popularity among its speakers.

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Wu and Yang (2010) suggested that written standards should be developed for all seven primary varieties of Chuangqiandian Miao.

Answer: False

Explanation: Wu and Yang (2010) suggested that written standards should be developed for six other primary varieties of Chuangqiandian Miao, in addition to existing ones, not all seven.

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What is the traditional belief among Hmong people regarding their historical written language?

Answer: Their ancestors, the Nanman, had a written language that was lost during Han-era Chinese expansion.

Explanation: Hmong tradition posits that their ancestors, the Nanman, possessed a written language that was purportedly lost during the Han-era Chinese expansion southward.

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Who created the Pollard script and for which Hmongic language was it developed?

Answer: Samuel Pollard for the A-Hmao language

Explanation: Samuel Pollard introduced the Pollard script around 1905, specifically developed for the A-Hmao language.

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What was Shong Lue Yang's contribution to Hmongic writing systems?

Answer: He created the Pahawh Hmong script, a syllabic alphabet.

Explanation: Shong Lue Yang is credited with creating the Pahawh Hmong script, a notable syllabic alphabet designed for the transcription of Hmong Daw, Hmong Njua, and other dialects of the standard Hmong language.

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What was the Chinese government's contribution to Hmongic writing systems in the 1950s?

Answer: They developed pinyin-based Latin alphabets for Xong, Hmu, and Chuangqiandian (Hmong).

Explanation: In the 1950s, the Chinese government developed pinyin-based Latin alphabets for Xong, Hmu, and Chuangqiandian (Hmong) Miao varieties, establishing separate written standards.

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What is the current status of romanization for Hmongic languages in China and the United States?

Answer: It remains common.

Explanation: Romanization remains a prevalent practice for Hmongic languages in both China and the United States.

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Which script's design goals included clearly capturing Hmong vocabulary, remedying redundancies, and addressing semantic confusions?

Answer: The Nyiakeng Puachue Hmong script

Explanation: The Nyiakeng Puachue Hmong script was devised with design objectives including precisely capturing Hmong vocabulary, rectifying redundancies, and resolving semantic ambiguities.

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What was the status of the Pollard script after the Chinese government introduced new Latin alphabets in the 1950s?

Answer: It became known as 'Old Miao' but remained popular.

Explanation: Following the introduction of new Latin alphabets by the Chinese government in the 1950s, the Pollard script became known as 'Old Miao' but maintained its popularity among its speakers.

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What did Wu and Yang (2010) suggest regarding the standardization of Chuangqiandian varieties?

Answer: That new written standards should be developed for six other primary varieties.

Explanation: Wu and Yang (2010) proposed that written standards should be developed for each of the six other primary varieties of Chuangqiandian Miao, in addition to the existing ones.

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Language Contact and Mixed Varieties

Mixed languages in the Hmongic context refer to varieties that are a blend of Miao and Chinese languages due to intensive contact.

Answer: True

Explanation: In the Hmongic context, 'mixed languages' are defined as language varieties in China that are a blend of Miao and Chinese languages, or Sinicized Miao, resulting from intensive language contact.

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Laba is a mixed language spoken by over 200,000 people in Guizhou and is classified as a variety of Old Xiang.

Answer: True

Explanation: Laba is a mixed language spoken by over 200,000 individuals in Guizhou and is classified as a variety of Old Xiang (Lou-Shao).

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Baishi Miao is definitively classified as a pure Hmu language, with no Chinese linguistic influence.

Answer: False

Explanation: Baishi Miao is posited to be a mixed Chinese and Miao language, specifically exhibiting Hmu linguistic influence, rather than being a pure Hmu language.

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Guanxia Pinghua and Yangshi Pinghua, spoken by ethnic Miao, show evidence of non-Sinitic substrate words like 'kəu213' and 'ko11' for 'egg'.

Answer: True

Explanation: Guanxia Pinghua and Yangshi Pinghua, spoken by ethnic Miao, exhibit non-Sinitic substrate words such as 'kəu213' and 'ko11' for 'egg', indicating influence from other language families.

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What are 'mixed languages' in the context of Hmongic languages?

Answer: Language varieties that are a blend of Miao and Chinese languages.

Explanation: In the Hmongic context, 'mixed languages' refer to language varieties in China that are characterized as a blend of Miao and Chinese languages, or Sinicized Miao, resulting from intensive language contact.

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Which of the following is an example of a mixed Miao–Chinese language mentioned in the article?

Answer: Laba

Explanation: Laba is explicitly mentioned as an example of a mixed Miao–Chinese language.

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What is the classification of the Laba language, and what do its speakers claim about their ancestors?

Answer: It is a variety of Old Xiang; ancestors migrated from Huguang.

Explanation: Laba is classified as a variety of Old Xiang, and its speakers, the Huguangren, claim their ancestors migrated from Huguang.

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What is the linguistic characteristic of Baishi Miao?

Answer: It is possibly a mixed Chinese and Miao language with Hmu influence.

Explanation: Baishi Miao is posited to be a mixed Chinese and Miao language, specifically exhibiting Hmu linguistic influence.

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