Language Vitality of the Zhuang language in Guangxi Province People's Republic of China

Abstract

          This research article aims to study the transformation of 200 Zhuang vocabulary words used in daily life, from 16 categories of Zhuang vocabulary, in the Jingxi City area, Guangxi Province, People's Republic of China. This research is qualitative, with descriptive statistical percentages. The researcher selected language informants who speak Zhuang in two areas: the southern rural area and the northern urban area of Jingxi City. The language informants are divided into three age groups: 15 people aged 65 and above, 15 people aged 30-55, and 15 people aged 10-25. The research tools included word cards, attitude questionnaires, and vocabulary comparison tables.
          The research findings revealed differences in the use of traditional Zhuang vocabulary between the rural area, with 134 words (67%), and the urban area, with 66 words (33%). The vocabulary changes by age group showed that the 10-25 age group experienced changes in five aspects: consonant sound changes, tone changes, changes due to Mandarin influence, vocabulary loss, and changes from external factors. The 30-55 and 65 and above age groups experienced changes from both internal and external factors, with reasons stemming from language use in various situations and influences from languages outside the community. Although the Zhuang language retains the original meanings of its vocabulary, external factors such as the use of Mandarin or other languages have led to a blending with local dialects or, in some cases, the disappearance of certain vocabulary from the language.