Ethnic Minorities of Hulun Buir: Languages and Dialects as an Object of Research

Introduction. The article examines languages of some national minorities living in the Hulun Buir Urban District of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (PRC). The study is relevant since the Han majority subjects national minorities to strong linguistic assimilation. Timely study of the languages and dialects of this region is necessary for a comparative analysis with the languages of the Mongolic and Tungus-Manchu peoples living in Russia. Goals. The research primarily aims to examine some aspects of linguistic studies in publications of Inner Mongolia’s philologists. The work solves the following tasks: 1) review of languages and dialects of Hulun Buir ethnic groups, including in publications of Russian researchers; 2) research of some works dealing with the Old Barga dialect of the Mongolian language; 3) analysis of publications on the Dagur language and one scientific article about the Evenki language. Materials. The article analyzes scientific works of researchers from Inner Mongolia, such as Bousian, Enkhabatu, Tseberkhas, Urangua, Yu Shan, Serenbatu. Results. The existing division into languages and dialects has some differences in China and Russia. This unequal linguistic status requires the development of a single generally accepted standard. The Old Barga dialect has preserved a number of words from the language of medieval Mongols. This Barga dialect also borrowed some words from Manchu, Japanese and Russian. Philologists of Inner Mongolia actively study the Dagur language and dialects. They carry out comparative analyses of the latter and Mongolic languages, identify features of the Hailar and Buteha dialects of the Dagur language. So, scientists conducted a sociological survey on whether the Daur people know their native language, as well as Mongolian and Chinese. Professor Serenbat analyzed Evenki verb endings in comparison with Mongolian, Manchu and Dagur ones. Conclusions. The important issue is a standardization of languages and dialects of the region. It must be done in accordance with generally accepted standards in Russia and China. Russian philologists should begin comprehensive studies of the scientific developments of Inner Mongolia’s researchers. The study of the historiography of languages and dialects of Hulun Buir has great prospects.

1. Author’s Field Data

2. Informant: Ivan A. Batuev, b. 1943, ethnic Buryat, Ɣoyɣo clan, Minaakhay patronymic group. Rec. on August 26, 2020. (In Bur. and Russ.)

3. Informant: Pürev, ethnic Barga Mongol, Khurlat clan. Rec. in July of 2005. (In Mong.)

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