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 Nuosu, which is used by the majority of the Yi population. Yi is written using a unique script known as the Yi script, which was developed in the 20th century. The language is tonal, meaning that the pitch used when pronouncing words can change their meanings. Efforts are ongoing to promote and preserve the Yi language and culture in the face of modernization.