Miao language belongs to the branch of Miao Yao language family of Sino-Tibetan language family. In the early 1950s, the second research group of minority languages survey of China Academy of Sciences, through on-the-spot investigation, scientifically studied the word formation of Miao languages in different places, but with different phonetic features, divided Miao languages into three major dialects, namely Xiangxi dialect, Guizhou Oriental dialect, Sichuan-Guizhou-Yunnan dialect (also known as eastern dialect, central dialect and western dialect), seven sub-dialects and eighteen dialects [7].
Xiangxi Dialect (Eastern Dialect) is mainly used in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Songtao Miao Autonomous County in Northeast Guizhou, Enshi in Hubei, Xuanen, Laifeng, Hefeng, Xiushan in Chongqing, Youyang and Pengshui, and is divided into five dialects. [8]
Guizhou Oriental Dialect (Central Dialect) is mainly used in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Rongshui Miao Autonomous County and Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County in Guangxi, Jingzhou and Huitong County in Hunan, Anshun area in Guizhou, and some Miao areas in Southwest Guizhou and Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture. There are five dialects. [8]
Sichuan-Guizhou-Yunnan dialect (western dialect) is mainly used in central, western, southern, northern and southern Guizhou and Yunnan Province, and is divided into 8 dialects.
In addition, some Miao people speak Chinese, Dong, Yao, Buyi, Zhuang and other national languages. Although there are some differences among dialects, sub-dialects and dialects of Miao language, the similarity still accounts for more than 60%. [8]