The following is the entry for this language as it appeared in the 14th edition (2000).
It was superseded by the corresponding entry in the 15th edition (2005). See also the corresponding entry in the current edition of Ethnologue.
SIL code: KHI
ISO 639-2: kha
| Population | 865,000 in India (1997 IMA). Population total both countries 950,000. |
| Region | Assam; Meghalaya, Khasi-Jaintia hills; Manipur; West Bengal. Also spoken in Bangladesh. |
| Alternate names | KAHASI, KHASIYAS, KHUCHIA, KASSI, KHASA, KHASHI |
| Dialects | BHOI-KHASI, LYNGNGAM (MEGAM), KHASI, WAR, CHERRAPUNJI (SOHRA). |
| Classification | Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Northern Mon-Khmer, Khasian. |
| Comments | Bhoi in East Khasi Hills, Nongpoh block, and Nonglung in East Khasi Hills, Umksning block, are very different from standard Khasi, with different word order. Lyngngam dialect in West Khasi Hills , Mawshynrut block is divergent, and may not be a dialect (Abbi 1997). Many varieties called dialects have only partial inherent intelligibility with each other by their speakers. Amwi is a separate language (B. Comrie 1989). Used in government, courts, mass media in Meghalaya. A Scheduled Tribe in India. Lyngngam is a former Garo clan, but do not mix with the Garo, and consider themselves to be Khasi (R. Breton 1997). Investigation needed: intelligibility with dialects. Official language. Dictionary. SVO. Roman script. Radio programs, TV. Traditional religion, Christian. Bible 1891. |
| Bangladesh |
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