The Hmar language belongs to the Mizo language branch of the Sino-Tibetan family of languages. The speakers of this language use Mizo language as their second language (L2).[2][3]
| Hmar | |
|---|---|
| Hmar Țawng | |
| Pronunciation | [hmar (nasal word uses nose to pronounce)] |
| Native to | India |
| Region | Mizoram, Manipur, Assam, Tripura, and Meghalaya |
| Ethnicity | Hmar |
Native speakers | 98,988[1] |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | hmr |
| Glottolog | hmar1241 |
| ELP | Hmar |
Hmar is a recognised language in the School curriculum of Assam, Manipur and Mizoram, and also recently recognised as one of the Modern Indian Language (MIL) at Manipur University. Board of Secondary Education, Assam has also included Hmar as an MIL in its matriculation syllabus from 2005. Both Manipur University and Assam University, Silchar has also permitted Khawsak Hmar language to be studied as Modern Indian Language in the Graduation level.[citation needed]
Hawrawp (Alphabets) edit
The Hmar alphabets, known as Hmar Hawrawp has 25 letters: 6 vowels and 19 consonants.[4] It is a modified version of the Roman script with some diacritic marks to help pronounce the dialect[5].
| A | Aw | B | Ch | D | E | F | G | Ng | H |
| I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | R | S |
| T | Ț | U | V | Z |
Pronunciation[6] edit
| Alphabets | As In |
|---|---|
| a | father |
| aw | omnipotent |
| b | bell, ball |
| ch | church |
| d | day, dumb |
| e | escape |
| f | flower |
| g | gun |
| ng | thing |
| h | hut |
| i | India |
| j | Jacob |
| k | king |
| l | long |
| m | mother |
| n | name |
| o | no |
| p | pain |
| r | ram |
| s | same |
| t | tell |
| ṭ | tree |
| u | moo |
| v | victory |
| z | zombie |
Geographical distribution edit
Khawsak dialect of Hmar is spoken in the following locations
- Assam: Dima Hasao district, Karbi Anglong district, Hailakandi district, Karimganj district and Cachar district
- Manipur: Pherzawl district, Churachandpur district, Jiribam district and Moreh
- Mizoram: Aizawl district, Champhai district and Kolasib district
- Tripura: In and around Darchawi and Jampui Hills
- Meghalaya: Shillong and Khaddum village
- Myanmar: Tamu
- Bangladesh: Bawm
Since Hmar speakers are scattered over a vast area in Mizoram, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura, Chittagong Hill tracts, North Carolina Hills and Cachar district of Assam state and Myanmar, there appears to be slight dialectal distinction. There is no homogeneous settlement of Hmar speakers alone.[citation needed] In Manipur, Hmar exhibits partial mutual intelligibility with the other Kukish dialects of the area including Thadou, Paite, Aimol, Vaiphei, Simte, Kom and Gangte languages.[7]
References edit
- ^ "Statement 1: Abstract of speakers' strength of languages and mother tongues - 2011". www.censusindia.gov.in. Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- ^ "Did you know Hmar is vulnerable?". Endangered Languages. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
... Hmar speakers of Manipur use Manipuri while Assamese and Bengali are used in Assam. Ethnic Hmars living in Mizoram speak Mizo as their first language....
- ^ Lisam, Khomdan Singh (2011). Encyclopaedia Of Manipur (3 Vol.). p. 561. ISBN 978-81-7835-864-2.
... They speak Hmar language and converse well in Manipuri (Meiteilon) ...
- ^ Pangamte, L. Ruoivel (2019). New Hmar Grammar And Composition. Hmar Literature Society Manipur. p. 1.
- ^ Bapui, VL Tluonga (2012). Hmar Tawng Inchukna (A Lexical Study of the Hmar Language & Usages). The Assam Institute of Research for Tribals and Scheduled Castes.
- ^ Bapui, VL Tluonga (2012). Hmar Tawng Inchukna (A Lexical Study of the Hmar Language & Usages). The Assam Institute of Research for Tribals and Scheduled Castes.
- ^ Singh, Chungkham Yashawanta (1995). "The linguistic situation in Manipur" (PDF). Linguistics of the Tibeto-Burman Area. 18 (1): 129–134. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
External links edit
- VIRTHL-Ushering Change: News & Info House of the Hmars Visit Site
- Hmar Rûnpui : Hmar Social Networking Visit Site
- Manipur Online The Unresolved Issues of the Hmar
- Hmar.in
- Hmarram.com
- Sinlung News [1]
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