Chin, Falam

Print

A language of Myanmar

ISO 639-3
cfm
Alternate Names
Falam, Fallam, Halam, Hallam Chin
Population

69,000 in Myanmar. 9,000 Tashon, 16,000 Zanniat, 7,000 Khualshim, 4,000 Lente, 14,400 Zahao, 18,600 in Laizao (1983). Population total all countries: 107,300.

Location

Chin State, Falam township. Also in India.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Sal, Kuki-Chin-Naga, Kuki-Chin, Central
Dialects

Hualngo, Khualshim (Kwelshin), Laizo (Laiso, Laizao, Laizo-Shimhrin), Lente (Lyente), Ngawn, Sim, Taisun (Shunkla, Sunkhla, Tashom, Tashon), Tapong, Zahao (Lyen-Lyem, Yahow, Zahau, Zahau-Shimhrin), Zanniat. The Chorei dialect (in India) and Zanniat may be separate languages. Collectively called Baro Halam. Rupini and Koloi reportedly quite different from the others; Tapong reportedly has difficult intelligibility for other dialect speakers. 75% cognate with Zanniat dialect.

Typology

SOV; negation is marked after the verb

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes.

Language Development
Most youth and some older people, if educated, can read Falam. Radio programs. Bible: 1991–2011.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Chin, Falam
Writing
Bengali script. Latin script.
Other Comments

Taisun is dialect autoglottonym; Tashon, the Burmese spelling. In official ethnic list as Kwelshin, Gunte (Lyente), Za-How, Zahnyiet (Zanniet). Christian.

Also spoken in:

Expand All Collapse All