Khumi language

Khumi
Khumi Chin
Native to	Bangladesh
Ethnicity	Khumi people
Native speakers	70,000 (2006–2009)
Language family	Sino-Tibetan Tibeto-Burman Central Tibeto-Burman (?) Kuki-Chin-Naga Kuki-Chin Khomic Khumi
Language codes
ISO 639-3	Either: cnk – Khumi cek – Eastern Khumi
Glottolog	khum1248  Khumi proper east2779  Eastern Khumi Chin

Khumi, or Khumi Chin, is a Kuki-Chin-Mizo language of Burma, with some speakers across the border in Bangladesh. Khumi shares 75%–87% lexical similarity with Eastern Khumi, and 78-81% similarity with Mro-Khimi.

Geographical distribution

Khumi proper is spoken in the following townships of Myanmar (Ethnologue).

• Kaladan river area in Paletwa township, Chin State
• A few villages in Kyauktaw township, Rakhine State.

Eastern Khumi (Khami) is spoken in the following townships of Myanmar (Ethnologue). The Eastern Khumi dialects have a high degree of mutual intelligibility, with all dialects sharing at least 74% lexical similarity, although there are strong attitudes against sharing the same literature. In terms of lexical similarity, Nisay, Nideun, and Khongtu dialects share 92%–97% while the Khenlak and Asang dialects also share 92%–97%. The Likhy variety of Eastern Khumi shares 86%–90% lexical similarity with Mro-Khimi Chin.

• Matupi township, Chin State (in 4 villages)
• Sami subtownship, Paletwa township, Chin State (in 85 villages)

Dialects

Ethnologue lists the following dialects.

• Khumi
  • Pi Chaung
  • Kaladan
  • Eastern Kaladan
  • Southern Paletwa
• Eastern Khumi (Khami)
  • Nisay (Nise, Palyng, Tao Cha)
  • Nideun (Amlai, Ghu, Laungtha, Maru, Paru, Tahaensae, Taheunso, Uiphaw)
  • Lemi (Akelong, Aki Along, Kaja, Kajauk)
  • Khongtu
  • Likhy (Likhaeng)
  • Rengcaa (Namboi, Nangbwe)
  • Khenlak
  • Asang (Kasang, Sangtha)

The Kasang (also known as Khenlak, Ta-aw, Hkongsa-Asang, Hkongso-Asang, Asang, and Sangta) consider themselves as ethnic Hkongso, but their language is intelligible with Khumi rather than Anu or Hkongso (Wright 2009). Kasang villages include Lamoitong and Tuirong.

References

• Herr, Kristen. 2011. The Phonological Interpretation of Minor Syllables, Applied to Lemi Chin. Master’s thesis.
• Lung, K Nu San. 2017. Vitality of Language and Music among the Lemi People In Southern Chin State of Myanmar. Master’s Thesis.
• Peterson, David A. 2012. The Khumi cluster and its place in Kuki-Chin-Mizo. Paper presented at ICSTLL 45, Singapore.