Khumi, or Khumi Chin, is a Kuki-Chin-Mizo language of Burma, with some speakers across the border in Bangladesh. Khumi shares 75%–87% lexical similarity with Eastern Khumi, and 78-81% similarity with Mro-Khimi.[2]
| Khumi | |
|---|---|
| Khumi Chin | |
| Native to | Bangladesh |
| Ethnicity | Khumi people |
Native speakers | 70,000 (2006–2009)[1] |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | Either:cnk – Khumicek – Eastern Khumi |
| Glottolog | khum1248 Khumi propereast2779 Eastern Khumi Chin |
Geographical distribution
editKhumi proper is spoken in the following townships of Myanmar (Ethnologue).
- Kaladan river area in Paletwa township, Chin State
- A few villages in Kyauktaw township, Rakhine State.
Eastern Khumi (Khami) is spoken in the following townships of Myanmar (Ethnologue). The Eastern Khumi dialects have a high degree of mutual intelligibility, with all dialects sharing at least 74% lexical similarity, although there are strong attitudes against sharing the same literature.[2] In terms of lexical similarity, Nisay, Nideun, and Khongtu dialects share 92%–97% while the Khenlak and Asang dialects also share 92%–97%.[2] The Likhy variety of Eastern Khumi shares 86%–90% lexical similarity with Mro-Khimi Chin.[2]
- Matupi township, Chin State (in 4 villages)
- Sami subtownship, Paletwa township, Chin State (in 85 villages)
Dialects
editEthnologue lists the following dialects.
- Khumi
- Pi Chaung
- Kaladan
- Eastern Kaladan
- Southern Paletwa
- Eastern Khumi (Khami)
- Nisay (Nise, Palyng, Tao Cha)
- Nideun (Amlai, Ghu, Laungtha, Maru, Paru, Tahaensae, Taheunso, Uiphaw)
- Lemi (Akelong, Aki Along, Kaja, Kajauk)
- Khongtu
- Likhy (Likhaeng)
- Rengcaa (Namboi, Nangbwe)
- Khenlak
- Asang (Kasang, Sangtha)
The Kasang (also known as Khenlak, Ta-aw, Hkongsa-Asang, Hkongso-Asang, Asang, and Sangta) consider themselves as ethnic Hkongso, but their language is intelligible with Khumi rather than Anu or Hkongso (Wright 2009).[3] Kasang villages include Lamoitong and Tuirong.
References
edit- ^ Khumi at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
Eastern Khumi at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required) - ^ a b c d "Myanmar". Ethnologue: Languages of the World. 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-10-10. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
- ^ Jonathan Michael Wright. 2009. Hkongso Grammar Sketch. MA thesis, Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics.
- Herr, Kristen. 2011. The Phonological Interpretation of Minor Syllables, Applied to Lemi Chin. Master’s thesis.
- Lung, K Nu San. 2017. Vitality of Language and Music among the Lemi People In Southern Chin State of Myanmar. Master’s Thesis.
- Peterson, David A. 2012. The Khumi cluster and its place in Kuki-Chin-Mizo. Paper presented at ICSTLL 45, Singapore.