Kinnauri

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A language of India

ISO 639-3
kfk
Alternate Names
Kanauri, Kanaury Anuskad, Kanawari, Kanawi, Kanoreunu Skad, Kanorin Skad, Kanorug Skadd, Kinnaura Yanuskad, Kinner, Kinori, Koonawure, Kunawari, Kunawur, Lower Kinnauri, Malhesti, Milchan, Milchanang, Milchang, Tibas Skad
Population

65,100 (2001 census).

Location

Himachal Pradesh, Kinnaur, Lahul-Spiti districts, Chauhra to Sangla and north along Satluj river to Morang, upper Ropa river valley villages; Shimla and Rampur area; Uttar Pradesh; Punjab; Kashmir.

Language Maps
Language Status

3 (Wider communication).

Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish, West Himalayish, Kinauri
Dialects

Dialect at Nichar has 79% inherent intelligibility of Sangla. Other varieties have functional intelligibility of each other. Related languages: Kanashi [xns], Chitkuli Kinnauri [cik], and Jangshung Tukpa [jna]. Lexical similarity: 76%–90% among varieties.

Language Use

Vigorous. 15,000–20,000 L2 speakers in Kinnaur District. Low proficiency in Hindi [hin].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 37%: men 52%, women 22%. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 1909–1917.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kinnauri
Writing
Devanagari script. Takri (Tankri, Takari) script, no longer in use.
Other Comments

A Scheduled Tribe. Hindu, Buddhist (Lamaist), traditional religion.