LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 17:2 February 2017
ISSN 1930-2940

Managing Editor: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
Editors: B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. A. Sharada, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         Lakhan Gusain, Ph.D.
         Jennifer Marie Bayer, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         L. Ramamoorthy, Ph.D.
         C. Subburaman, Ph.D. (Economics)
         N. Nadaraja Pillai, Ph.D.
         Renuga Devi, Ph.D.
         Soibam Rebika Devi, M.Sc., Ph.D.
Assistant Managing Editor: Swarna Thirumalai, M.A.

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Cardinal Numerals in Manipuri and Standard Tangkhul:
A Comparative Analysis

P. Birchandra Singh

Abstract

It is interesting to note that numerals in any language typically show some processes of word formation in a curious way, while they might also provoke us to look into the etymological aspects or diachronic investigations, apart from their synchronic enquiries, about certain parts or elements of the numerals. In the cardinals of both Manipuri and Tangkhul, the process of compounding is in operation as in many languages. But there is marked difference between the two at certain points – because of the fact that where one uses compound the other uses a connective, for instance where one uses 10 as the multiple, the other uses a score i.e. 20, wherever the process of multiplicative compound operates. In this way the numerals in the two languages show similarities and dissimilarities between them. A comparative study of Manipuri and Tangkhul numerals would throw light on the linguistic affinity between these two languages, thereby contributing to further investigation of linguistic, cultural and historical importance. In the present paper the comparative study confines to cardinals only. A relatively fresh attempt is being made to look into the importance of prosodic feature of numerals which is directly associated with the spontaneity of rhythm in counting in isolation within the parameter of which the cardinals of Manipuri and Tangkhul is being studied in addition to other parameters such as phonological, morphological and other grammatical features that characterize the two numeral systems.

Keywords: Manipuri, Tangkhul Naga, cardinal numerals, comparative study

1.1 Introduction

Manipuri, the lingua franca of the state of Manipur in the Indian sub-continent belongs to the Kuki-Chin group of Tibeto-Burman sub-family of the Sino-Tibetan family. Standard Tangkhul, popularly known as Tangkhul, is also one of the members of this group i.e., Tibeto-Burman (T.B.). The term ‘Standard Tangkhul’ is being used to distinguish itself from the other Tangkhul dialects, numbering about two hundred, which are known by their village-tags, namely Hundung Tangkhul, Thawai Tangkhul, Sangsak Tanghkul etc. Both Manipuri (i.e., Meiteilon or Meitei, as has been nomenclatured by different linguists) and Tangkhul show striking similarities and significant dissimilarities in their lexicon, phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

P. Birchandra Singh
Linguistics Department
Manipur University
Canchipur 795003
Manipur State
India
pbiprachand@yahoo.com
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