LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 14:10 October 2014
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.
         S. M. Ravichandran, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         L. Ramamoorthy, Ph.D.
         C. Subburaman, Ph.D. (Economics)
Assistant Managing Editor: Swarna Thirumalai, M.A.

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Segmental Phonology of Chiru

Mechek Sampar Awan, M.A.

Abstract

The Chiru language belongs to the Northern Kuki-Chin subgroup of the Tibeto-Burman language families (G.A. Grierson 1903). It has only 6032 speakers (Census of India: 2001) scattered in Senapati, Tamenglong and Churachandpur districts of Manipur and Cachar district of Assam. Thus, Chiru is a highly endangered language. It is recognised as a scheduled tribe by the Government of India in 1957. The language is highly influenced by its neighbouring dominant languages. This threatens the language with the possibility of extinction. This article attempts to describe the segmental phonology of Chiru in the light of modern trends in Linguistics. The study of segmental phonological system of the language will mainly include the phonemic inventory, phonemes and its variants and distributions, phonemic sequence, syllabic pattern and phonological processes.

1.0. Introduction

Chiru is one of the thirty-three recognised tribal languages of Manipur. It is considered as a highly endangered language with only 6032 speakers (census of India: 2001) scattered in Senapati, Tamenglong and Churachandpur districts of Manipur and also in Cachar District of Assam. Chiru language in Manipur is highly influenced by Meiteilon and by Hmar language in Assam. Chiru has close affinities with other languages like Ranglong, Aimol, Koireng, Kharam, Kom, Chorei, Darlong, Rangkhol, Sakachep, etc. The total number of Chiru villages is 13 (thirteen). Out of these, one village (Budhon Chiru) is situated in Cachar district of Assam; 9 villages, namely, Nungsai, Bungte, Bungte Kholen, Khoirok, Sadu, Thangjing, Kangchup, Uran and Waithou in different parts of Senapati district of Manipur; 2 villages, namely, Dolang and Lamdangmei in Tamenglong district, Manipur and one village, namely, Charoi khullen in Henglep subdivision, Churachandpur district, Manipur. The documentation, description and codification of the language are highly required to preserve and revitalise the language.

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

Mechek Sampar Awan, M.A.
Department of Linguistics
Assam University
Silchar-788011
Assam
India
awanms3@gmail.com
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