Alternate Names: Bhilki, Sansiboli
Dialects: Intermediate between Eastern Panjabi , and Hindustani (see Hindi ,). Sometimes identify themselves as Marwari ,. Related to Rajasthani ,, Sindhi ,, Eastern Panjabi. Lexical similarity: 71% with Urdu ,, 83% with the Sochi dialect of Sansi ,(1998). Numerous phonological and morphological borrowings from Eastern Panjabi ,, Hindi ,, and Gujarati , (Gusain 2002).
Genealogy:
Demographics: 60,000 in India (Gusain 2002). Population total all countries: 76,200.
Language Use: Not being passed on to the next generation. Much mixing of Hindi, Eastern Panjabi, or Gujarati (Gusain 2002). Home only. Mainly older adults. Also use Eastern Panjabi [pan], Gujarati [guj], Hindi [hin].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: Below 1%. Literacy rate in L2: Below 5%.
Nation of Origin: India
Other Comments: Bhils by caste. Called a Gypsy language. They have an argot called Farsi. Gusain (2002) classifies this as a Rajasthani dialect. Socially separate from surrounding groups. Governed by their own social norms and economy. Losing some tribal characteristics but are not yet integrated into the national mainstream (Gusain 2002). Hindu.