Khamba is an endangered and severely underdocumented Sino-Tibetan language spoken by Khamba people in Upper Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh, India.
| Khamba | |
|---|---|
| Native to | India |
| Region | Arunachal Pradesh |
Native speakers | 500-700 (2016)[1] |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | kbg |
| Glottolog | kham1283 |
| ELP | Khamba |
It is generally classified as Tibetic but its precise position with the branch is unclear because of lack of reliable language data. Glottolog defines it as "unclassified Southern Tibetic".[2] Van Driem classifies it with Khams Tibetan.[3] According to the Central Institute of Indian Languages, a grammar description and a bilingual dictionary of Khamba are being prepared under the Scheme for Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages.[4]
Language situation
editDespite their small population, Khamba speakers form a separate Scheduled Tribe recognized by the government of India. Most Khamba speakers are reported to be mutilingual, with many of them speaking Hindi, Minyong, Assamese, Memba and basic English.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b Borang, Rebecca (2017), "A brief note on Khambas of Upper Siang" (PDF), CFEL Newsletter, 1 (1): 19, retrieved 2023-02-03
- ^ "Khamba", Glottolog, retrieved 2023-02-03
- ^ George van Driem, Languages of the Himalayas, p 892
- ^ "Khamba Documentation", Scheme for Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages, retrieved 2023-02-03