Pahari, Mahasu

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A language of India

ISO 639-3
bfz
Alternate Names
Mahasui
Population

1,000,000 (2002).

Location

Himachal Pradesh, Shimla (Simla) and Solan districts.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northern zone, Western Pahari
Dialects

Lower Mahasu Pahari (Baghati, Baghliani, Kiunthali), Upper Mahasu Pahari (Rampuri, Rohruri, Shimla Siraji, Sodochi). The Kiunthali variety appears to be understood by others, and their attitude toward it is favorable. Rampuri is also called Kochi; Rohruri is also called Soracholi. Intelligibility among dialects above 85%. Lexical similarity: 74%–82% with upper dialects, 74%–95% with lower dialects.

Typology

SOV; postpositions; genitives after noun heads; nontonal

Language Use

Home, religion. All ages. The educated are more proficient in Hindi [hin].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 80% for Shimla District, 82% for Solan (2001 census). Magazines. Newspapers. Radio programs. Dictionary. Bible portions.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Pahari, Mahasu
Writing
Devanagari script.
Other Comments

Hindu.