CLASSIFICATION OF SINO-TIBETAN HORPA DIALECTS

Abstract

The article explores the classification of the Sino-Tibetan Horpa dialects, an under-researched linguistic cluster located within the Tibetan Autonomous Region and Sichuan Province in China. The study highlights the critical need to document and preserve these dialects, some of which are endangered. The research addresses the absence of comprehensive information in Russian linguistic sources and aims to systematize the available data on Horpa dialects, analyze their geographical distribution, and determine their linguistic status relative to other Chinese dialects. The research objectives include sorting and presenting information on Horpa dialects using visual aids and contributing to further studies on Sino-Tibetan languages and dialects from synchronic and diachronic perspectives. Additionally, strategies for preserving endangered languages are proposed. The Horpa dialect cluster represents a unique linguistic and cultural phenomenon deserving of further investigation. By systematically classifying the dialects and presenting new findings in Russian, this research enriches the field of theoretical and historical linguistics and provides a foundation for future studies and preservation efforts.