The Yi language is a member of the Sino-Tibetan language family, primarily spoken by the Yi people in southwestern China, particularly in the provinces of Yunnan, Sichuan, and Guizhou. It has several dialects, with the most widely spoken being the Nuosu dialect. The language is known for its rich oral traditions and unique phonetic features. Yi is written using a script called the Yi script, which was developed in the 20th century. This script is based on the Latin alphabet and is used to promote literacy among the Yi population. Efforts to preserve and promote the Yi language are ongoing, as it plays a crucial role in the cultural identity of the Yi people.