Amri Karbi

AJZ

developing

Alternate Names: Amri

Dialects: Lower Amri, Upper Amri. Reportedly unintelligible with Karbi ,; intelligibility testing inconclusive regarding whether Guriaghuli area dialect is well understood in Meghalaya. Lexical similarity: 57%–68% with Karbi; 70%–86% between dialects.

Genealogy:

Sino-Tibetan
Tibeto-Burman
Sal
Kuki-Chin-Naga
Karbi

Demographics: 125,000 (2003).

Language Use: Many ethnic group members no longer use Amri Karbi. Much borrowing from Assamese [asm] (in Assam) and Khasi [kha] (in Meghalaya). Some Amri Karbi villages shifted completely to Assamese due to intermarriage and the perception that Assamese is preferred for children to do well in school. In the remote and isolated border area, the language is still strong. Home, village, religion. All ages. Positive attitudes. Strong feelings of separateness from the dominant Karbi group in Karbi, Anglong District.

Language Development: Literacy rate in L2: 20%—60%. Newspapers. Radio programs. NT: 2010.

Writing System: Latin

Nation of Origin: India

Other Comments: Hindu, Christian, traditional religion.