Central Kuki-Chin languages

Encyclopedia

Central Kuki-Chin

 is a branch of the Kuki-Chin languages. Central Kuki-Chin languages are spoken primarily in Mizoram, India and in Hakha Township and Falam Township of Chin State, Myanmar.

Official use

Mizo is the official language of Mizoram State, India, while Hakha Chin is the lingua franca of Chin State, Myanmar.

Classification

VanBik (2009:23) classifies the Central Kuki-Chin languages as follows.

Central Kuki-Chin
  • Pangkhua?
  • Laamtuk Thet (Tawr): Laamtuk, Ruavaan dialects
  • Lai languages
    • Hakha cluster: Halkha, Farrawn, Thantlang, Mi-E, Zokhua
    • Falam cluster: Bawm, Bualkhaw, Laizo, Lente, Khualsim, Khuangli, Sim, Tlaisun, Zanniat
  • Mizo languages
    • Mizo cluster: Fanai, Hualngo, Lusei, Khiangte, Renthlei
    • Hmar cluster Hmar

VanBik (2009) is unsure about the classification of Pangkhua, and tentatively places it within Central Kuki-Chin.

Sound changes

VanBik (2009) lists the following sound changes from Proto-Kuki-Chin to Proto-Central Chin.

  • Proto-Kuki-Chin *k(ʰ)r-, *p(ʰ)r- > Proto-Central Chin *t(ʰ)r–
  • Proto-Kuki-Chin *k(ʰ)l-, *p(ʰ)l- > Proto-Central Chin *t(ʰ)l–
  • Proto-Kuki-Chin *y- > Proto-Central Chin *z–