苗族研究：
苗族是中国的一个少数民族，同时也是一个跨境民族，苗族以自己独特的历史和文化，吸引着大批国内外学者对其开展研究。
目前，全世界苗族人口有一千二百多万。居住在我国境内的有九百多万，其中海南苗族人口有约八万人，有两百多万分布在世界各地。其中：越南有一百零八万；老挝有四十八万；泰国有二十余万；缅甸有六万；柬埔寨有二万；美国有三十八万；法国有一万五千；法属圭亚那有八千；德国有三千；加拿大有两千、阿根廷有一千五百；澳大利亚有四千；新西兰有五百人。苗族分布地域之广，跨居国家之多，这在世界两千多个民族中是不多见的。
居住在国外的苗族虽然已经成为这些国家的社会成员，并受到这些国家政治、经济、文化的影响，但作为历史上形成的一个民族， 他们仍具有共同的民族感情和民族意识，具有“同根”的认同心理，每年都有许多散居世界各地苗族到中国来寻根问祖，其中，美国苗族偏多，他们大多来自美国明州圣保罗市及加州弗雷斯诺或威斯康辛州，且大部分都要到云南文山去祭拜祖先。
作为一个民族整体，其内部始终存在着较为稳定的内聚力。 这种内聚力和认同心理，在较长的一个时期内不会因为居住在不同的国家而消失。众所周知，苗族具有独特的历史和顽强的抗争精神同时，也创造了广博繁富的文化。
苗族长期处于不同的特别环境和生活条件下，他们的生产、生活方式，物质、精神条件，社会结构、文化模式等都具有本民族的鲜明特征。
他们创造了本民族丰富的语言，苗瑶语构成了亚洲的五大语族之一。
苗族神话、歌谣和民间传说，千姿百态、浩如烟海。《苗族古歌》、《苗族史诗》、《苗族古老话》以博大的场面，宏伟的气势，向人们再现了苗族的古代社会，具有多方面的研究价值。
此外，苗族服饰、饮食、居住、婚丧等方面也保留了自己的民族特色。
综上所述，苗学所以成为一门国际性学科，不在于苗族的外部有什么原因，而在于苗族内部的一些特点。
翻译：
Hmong Studies
Hmong is one of the ethnic groups living in China as well as a cross-border ethnic group. Thousands of scholars worldwide have shown great interest in hmong studies for being fascinated by unique history and culture of hmong.
At present the total population of hmong people all over the world has amounted to 12 million, among which over 9 million are living in China and over eighty thousand hmong are living on Hainan island. Hmong are scattered in such countries as Vietnam( 1000008 people) Laos( 480000 people) Thailand( about 230000 people) Burma( 60000 people) Cambodia( 20000 people) USA( 400000 people) France( 15000 people) French Guyana( 8000 people) Germany( 3000 people) Canada( 2000 people) Australia( 4000 people) Argentina( 1500 people) and New Zealand ( 500 people), The wide distribution of hmong inhabiting so many countries is very rare in over 2000 ethnic groups worldwide.
Though the hmong living abroad have become social members of countries of residence and have been greatly influenced by the countries’ politics, economy and culture, as an ethnic group formed historically, the hmong people still have possessed a common ethnic emotion and consciousness with identification psychology of the “same root”. Many hmong scattered in different parts of the world come to China to find their roots annually, most of whom are hmomg Americans from Saint Paul, MN, Fresno, CA and WI. Many of them usually travel to Wenshan, Yunnan province to find their roots and worship ancestors.
An an ethnic ensemble, a stable cohesion always exists in hmong people, the cohesion and identification psychology will not disappear just because of the different countries they are living in. As is well known, hmong people are a nation with a unique history, indomitable spirit and a rich culture.
Hmong people have long been in a state of different life environment and conditions, their modes of production and life, material and spiritual conditions, social structure and cultural modes, etc, have had a distinct ethnic characteristic of their own.
They have created their own language called Hmong-Mien Language, which consists of one of the five language families in Asia.
Historically there has been a tremendous amount of hmong myths, ballads and folktales, for example, hmomg ancient folk songs, epics and ancient fairy tales have shown people hmong ancient society with their magnificent momentum , which is of a great research value.
In addition, hmong ethnic features such as custumes, food, folk residence, marriage and funerals have been well preserved. The reason why hmong studies has become an international discipline lies not in its external factors but lies in its internal features.
