Language and Ethnic Groups——A Case Study on the Tanxi Community

In Tanxi community,language is the important indication of ethnic groups' identity and difference.It has close relations with the history of ethnic groups and sticks to the feeling and dignity of them.At the same time,the distinction between language and linguistics categories are not consistent,sometimes only slight differences in linguistic customs,and even the subjective construction language border.By zooming in "difference" or construct "language border",people achieve the goal of self-attribution and distinguish them from others.The Tujia language has basically quitted from daily life of the Tujia in Tanxi community in pace with the changes of social circumstances,and its function of identification and unity has been avianized.