Micha language

Micha, or Miqie (Chinese: 密察语; pinyin: Mìcháyǔ; autonym: mi˥tɕʰe˨˩ pʰo˨˩^[3]), is a Loloish language of Yunnan. Its usage is declining.

Micha
Michie
Central Yi
Native to	China
Region	Yunnan
Ethnicity	>1,000 (1999)[1] to 50,000 Yi (2007)[2]
Native speakers	30,000 (2007)[2] (assuming an ethnic population of 50,000)
Language family	Sino-Tibetan (Tibeto-Burman) Lolo–Burmese Loloish Lisoish Lisu–Lalo ? Micha Micha
Language codes
ISO 639-3	yiq
Glottolog	miqi1235
ELP	Miqie Yi

Classification

Micha (mi55 tɕʰi21 or mi55 tɕʰe21) is most closely related to Lipo, Lolopo, and Lisu.^[4]

The autonym mi13 sɑ21 pɑ21^[5] is used by Lalo speakers, and should not be confused with Micha.

Distribution

Micha is spoken by about 9,000 persons in north-central Yunnan, in Wuding County, Luquan County, and Fumin County.^[4]

• Wuding County: Shedianxiaocun, Yongtaoxiacun, Yongtaozhongcun, Yangliuhe, Maichacun, Wodudacun, Woduxincun, Shuiduifang, Shanjudacun, Shanjuxiacun, Yangjiacun, Luomian, Xiagubai, Yanziwo, Shudecun, Dacun, Xincun, Baisha, Dashiban, Puxi Xincun, Yangliuhe, Nanshancun, Maidishan, Daxinzhuang, Yangjiucun, Nuomizha, Bizu
• Luquan County: Shanglaowu, Xiashihuiyao, Qinglongqing, Bailike, Yantang, Pingtian, Damituo, Xicun
• Fumin County: Madishangcun, Madixiacun, Madishaocun

According to the Nanjian County Gazetteer (1993), Micha (密岔) is also spoken in Nanjian County, around Aliwu (阿里勿)^[6] and Santaishan (三台山),^[7] southeast of Dali.