Pahari, Mahasu

BFZ

vigorous

Alternate Names: Mahasui

Dialects: Lower Mahasu Pahari (Baghati, Baghliani, Kiunthali), Upper Mahasu Pahari (Rampuri, Rohruri, Shimla Siraji, Sodochi). The Kiunthali variety appears to be understood by others, and their attitude toward it is favorable. Rampuri is also called Kochi; Rohruri is also called Soracholi. Intelligibility among dialects above 85%. Lexical similarity: 74%–82% with upper dialects, 74%–95% with lower dialects.

Genealogy:

Indo-European
Indo-Iranian
Indo-Aryan
Northern zone
Western Pahari

Demographics: 1,000,000 (2002).

Language Use: Home, religion. All ages. The educated are more proficient in Hindi [hin].

Language Development: Literacy rate in L2: 80% for Shimla District, 82% for Solan (2001 census). Magazines. Newspapers. Radio programs. Dictionary. Bible portions.

Typology: SOV; postpositions; genitives after noun heads; nontonal.

Writing System: Devanagari

Nation of Origin: India

Other Comments: Hindu.