[3] A number of theories have been proposed about the origin of the Wutun villagers, and their peculiar dialect.
Others think that they may have been a group of Hui people (Chinese-speaking Muslims) from Sichuan who, for reasons unknown, converted to Tibetan Buddhism and moved to eastern Qinghai.
[3] Erika Sandman said Wutun speakers most likely descend from Mongol and Tibetan women marrying newly settled Chinese soldiers in the 14th century.
[1] Wutun consists of six basic vowels, /a e i o u ə/ which are influenced to some extent by their consonantal environment.
[1] For instance, vowels are velarized [ˠ] before "k", as in "ek" [əˠ] 'two' or "maidok" [metoˠ] 'flower'.