Chin, Eastern Khumi

CEK

vigorous

Alternate Names: Ta-aw, Ta-oo

Dialects: Asang (Kasang, Sangtha), Khenlak, Khongtu, Lemi (Akelong, Aki Along, Kaja, Kajauk), Likhy (Likhaeng), Nideun (Amlai, Ghu, Laungtha, Maru, Paru, Tahaensae, Taheunso, Uiphaw), Nisay (Nise, Palyng, Tao Cha), Rengsa (Namboi, Nangbwe). High degree of intelligibility among the dialect groups, although strong attitudes against sharing the same literature. Lexical similarity: Nisay, Nideun, and Khongtu dialects share 92%–97%; Khenlak and Asang dialects also share 92%–97%; all dialects share at least 74% with each other; 75%–87% with Khumi Chin ,; Likhy variety shares 86%–90% with Mro-Khimi Chin ,.

Genealogy:

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

Demographics: 12,000 (2009 SIL).

Language Use: Vigorous. All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. 100% also use Rakhine [rki]. Or another Khumi variety. Used as L2 by Anu-Hkongso Chin [anl].

Language Development: Literacy classes are being taught in some communities. Preliminary orthographies and primers have been developed by many of the dialect groups. Poetry. Bible portions: 2007–2010.

Typology: SOV; negation is marked after the verb.

Writing System: Latin

Nation of Origin: Myanmar

Other Comments: These dialect groups do not have a unified identity or overarching name for themselves. However, because their speech varieties are highly intelligible with each other and because they are referred to as Nisay - eastern groups - by the Khumi, the term Eastern Khumi is used here as a cover term to refer to these groups. The Likhy people live among the other Eastern Khumi peoples, but their language is very similar to the Aroeng variety of Mro-Khimi ,. Christian.