Numbers in Northern Yi
Nuosu, Nosu (Nuosuhxop, ꆈꌠ꒿)
Numbers in Northern Yi follow a complex mixed counting system combining decimal and vigesimal elements, characteristic of many Sino-Tibetan languages. Spoken by the Yi people in China, Vietnam, and Thailand, with an estimated speaker count of over 2 million, Northern Yi's counting system is both intricate and culturally rich. Its unique features include the use of specific words for units, tens, hundreds, and large numbers, often combining base-10 and base-20 patterns. This makes the language's numbers in Northern Yi particularly fascinating for linguists and language enthusiasts alike. The counting system reflects historical trade, cultural practices, and traditional numerology, making it a vital part of Yi cultural identity.
Number system
Northern Yi's counting system is primarily decimal, but it incorporates vigesimal (base-20) elements, especially for numbers like 20, 40, 50, etc. Units from 1 to 9 are expressed with specific words: cyp (ꋍ) for 1, nyip (ꑍ) for 2, suo (ꌕ) for 3, ly (ꇖ) for 4, nge (ꉬ) for 5, fut (ꃘ) for 6, shyp (ꏃ) for 7, hxit (ꉆ) for 8, and ggu (ꈞ) for 9. Tens are formed by combining the digit with 'ci' (ꊰ), e.g., suo ci (ꌕꊰ) for 30, and 20 is nyip zi (ꑍꊏ). For example, 13 is 'ci suo' (ꊰꌕ), 28 is 'ci ly hxit' (ꊰꇖꉆ), and 42 is 'nyip ci ly' (ꑍꊰꇖ). Hundreds are formed by prefixing the digit with 'hxa' (ꉐ), e.g., suo hxa (ꌕꉐ) for 300, and thousands by 'dur' (ꄙ), e.g., cyp dur (ꋍꄙ) for 1,000. Large numbers like 100,000 are formed with 'vat' (ꃪ), e.g., ci vat (ꊰꃪ) for 100,000, and beyond that, numbers like sur (ꌣ) for 108 or 100 million are used. Compound numbers are built by combining these elements, sometimes with the word 'nip' (ꆀ) to specify exact figures, e.g., suo hxa nip suo (ꌕꉐꆀꌕ) for 303.
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Counting units from 1 to 9
Numbers 1 to 9 are expressed with specific words: cyp (ꋍ) for 1, nyip (ꑍ) for 2, suo (ꌕ) for 3, ly (ꇖ) for 4, nge (ꉬ) for 5, fut (ꃘ) for 6, shyp (ꏃ) for 7, hxit (ꉆ) for 8, and ggu (ꈞ) for 9. For example, 7 is 'shyp' (ꏃ), 9 is 'ggu' (ꈞ), and 4 is 'ly' (ꇖ).
Forming tens
Tens are formed by combining the digit word with 'ci' (ꊰ). For example, 20 is 'nyip zi' (ꑍꊏ), 30 is 'suo ci' (ꌕꊰ), 40 is 'ly ci' (ꇖꊰ), and 90 is 'ggu ci' (ꈞꊰ). Compound numbers like 13 are 'ci suo' (ꊰꌕ), which is 'ten plus three'. For 28, it is 'ci ly hxit' (ꊰꇖꉆ), meaning 'ten plus four times two'.
Forming hundreds
Hundreds are formed by prefixing the digit with 'hxa' (ꉐ). For example, 300 is 'suo hxa' (ꌕꉐ), 600 is 'fut hxa' (ꃘꉐ), and 900 is 'ggu hxa' (ꈞꉐ). Numbers like 303 are 'suo hxa nip suo' (ꌕꉐꆀꌕ), combining hundreds with additional units.
Forming thousands and large numbers
Thousands are formed by prefixing the digit with 'dur' (ꄙ). For example, 1,000 is 'cyp dur' (ꋍꄙ), 2,000 is 'nyip dur' (ꑍꄙ). Larger units like 100,000 are 'ci vat' (ꊰꃪ), meaning ten thousand times ten thousand. For even larger numbers, 'sur' (ꌣ) is used for 108 or 100 million, and numbers like 'ci sur' (ꊰꌣ) mean one billion. Compound large numbers are built by combining these elements, e.g., 'cip hxa vat' (ꊱꉐꃪ) for 1 million.
Unique features
The number 20 is 'nyip zi' (ꑍꊏ), where 'zi' (ꊏ) indicates a vigesimal base, showing influence of base-20 counting.
Numbers 6-9 are formed with unique words like fut (ꃘ) for 6 and shyp (ꏃ) for 7, not simply adding to five, indicating a mixed system.
The formation of compound numbers like 28 ('ci ly hxit') demonstrates the combination of tens and units, with some irregularities such as 'ly ci' for 40 instead of a straightforward pattern.
Large numbers like 100,000 use 'vat' (ꃪ), and beyond that, 'sur' (ꌣ) is used for hundreds of millions, showing a base-10 and base-20 hybrid system with extended scale words.
The language borrows Chinese words for some syllables, especially in Chinese borrowings, adding 63 glyphs to the standard syllabary, which influences numerical terminology.
Cultural context
The Yi people primarily inhabit southern Sichuan and northern Yunnan in China, with communities also in Vietnam and Thailand. Their culture is rich in tradition, with numerology playing a role in festivals, trade, and daily life. Numbers like 8 ('hxit') are considered lucky, while others may have specific taboos or cultural significance. The counting system reflects their history of trade, agriculture, and social organization. Large numbers are used in ceremonial contexts, such as counting livestock or offerings, emphasizing the importance of numeracy in their cultural identity. The use of Chinese borrowings indicates historical interactions and cultural exchanges with neighboring groups.
Fun facts
The number 52 is 'nge ci nyix' (ꉬꊰꑋ), combining the word for 50 with 2, illustrating the vigesimal influence.
Compared to English, which is purely decimal, Northern Yi's use of vigesimal elements makes its number system more complex and layered.
The formation of 19 as 'cix ggu' (ꊯꈞ) shows irregularities, as it combines a special form for 9 with a different pattern for 10-19.
Historically, the Yi script was standardized in 1974, and the number glyphs are based on the Liangshan dialect, reflecting a recent effort to formalize their numerals.
The largest numbers like 1 billion are formed with 'ci sur' (ꊰꌣ), showing the language's capacity to express very large quantities through compound formations.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Northern Yi?
1 is 'cyp' (ꋍ), 2 is 'nyip' (ꑍ), 3 is 'suo' (ꌕ), 4 is 'ly' (ꇖ), 5 is 'nge' (ꉬ), 6 is 'fut' (ꃘ), 7 is 'shyp' (ꏃ), 8 is 'hxit' (ꉆ), 9 is 'ggu' (ꈞ), and 10 is 'ci' (ꊰ).
What number base does Northern Yi use?
Northern Yi uses a mixed decimal and vigesimal system, evidenced by 20 being 'nyip zi' (ꑍꊏ), and 40 as 'ly ci' (ꇖꊰ), combining base-10 and base-20 patterns.
How do you say 42 in Northern Yi?
42 is 'nyip ci ly' (ꑍꊰꇖ), which combines 20 ('nyip zi') and 4 ('ly') in a pattern similar to 'twenty plus two'.
How do you say 100 in Northern Yi?
100 is 'cyp hxa' (ꋍꉐ), formed by the word for 1 ('cyp') followed by 'hxa' for hundred.
How many people speak Northern Yi?
Over 2 million people speak Northern Yi, primarily in southern Sichuan and northern Yunnan, with communities also in Vietnam and Thailand.
Is Northern Yi related to other languages?
Yes, it belongs to the Sino-Tibetan language family, specifically the Lolo–Burmese branch, closely related to other Yi languages and Burmese.
What makes Northern Yi counting unique?
Its hybrid decimal-vigesimal system, irregular formations for 6-9, and large number expressions like 'ci sur' for 109 or billion make it distinctive among world languages.