Chin, Anu-Hkongso

ANL

threatened

Alternate Names: Kaungso, Kaungtso, Khaungtso, Khawngso, Khong, Khongso, No

Dialects: Anu, Hkongso. Lexical similarity: 96%–98% and high intelligibility between Anu and Hkongso dialects, 72%–76% with Mru , but intelligibility is low, 23%–37% lexical similarity with all neighboring Chin languages, but bilingualism is high.

Genealogy:

Sino-Tibetan
Tibeto-Burman
Ngwi-Burmese
Mru

Demographics: 4,000 (2008), decreasing. 0 monolinguals.

Language Use: Fairly strong vitality in Anu and Hkongso majority villages. But in mixed villages and intermarried families, Khumi [cnk] and Eastern Khumi [cek] varieties are now used. Most domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. 4,000 also use Rakhine [rki]. Also use Burmese [mya], Eastern Khumi Chin [cek], Khumi Chin [cnk].

Language Development: Anu and Hkongso have separate literature efforts. Some literacy classes.

Typology: SVO; negation is marked before the verb.

Writing System: Latin

Nation of Origin: Myanmar

Other Comments: Although the Anu and Hkongso varieties are not part of the Kuki-Chin-Naga branch, these groups consider themselves to be Chin. Christian, Buddhist, traditional religion.