Tsou

Tsou is a member of the Formosan group of Austronesian languages. It is spoken in the central mountains of Taiwan southeast of Chiayi , particularly in Alishan Township in Chiayi County, and also in Hsinyi Township in Nantou County. In 2005 there were about 4,000 speakers of Tsou. The majority of speakers are adults, and while about 90% of elderly Tsou people speak their language, only 10% of young Tsou speak it. Most younger Tsou people speak Mandarin instead.

There are four main dialects of Tsou. The Tapangu (Tapaŋʉ) and Tfuea (Tfuya) dialects are the most spoken. The Duhtu or Luhtu dialect has few remaining speakers, and the Iimucu dialect is no longer spoken.

Efforts are being made to revitalise Tsou. These include teaching it in schools, compiling a dictionary, and translating the Bible into Tsou.