Approximately 80 elderly residents of the village are considered to be among the last people who have a good grasp of the historic pronunciation of Manchu. A local elementary school employs Manchu language teachers who learned the language from some of the older residents.[3]
Over 70% of the residents are ethnic Manchu.[4] Dong Xuefeng, an official with Youyi Township, said that Sanjiazi is the only village in China in which the Manchu language is spoken and the Manchu customs are observed because of its relative isolation.[4]: 2
Manchu language spoken elsewhere
In 2019, Colin Thubron found one man alone in Dawujia(zi) in Aihui District of Heihe Prefecture who said he could still speak the language.[5]
Education
Sanjiazi Manchu Elementary School is located in the community. It includes Manchu classes and has tapes of Manchu speakers.[6]