Karbi

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A language of India

ISO 639-3
mjw
Alternate Names
Arleng Alam, Karbi Karbak, Manchati, “Mikir” (pej.), “Mikiri” (pej.), Nihang, Puta
Population

420,000 (2001 census).

Location

Assam, Karbi Anglong district, Mikir and Rengma hills, Nagaon, Darrang, Marigaon, Sonitpur, Lakhimpur, and North Cachar districts; Arunachal Pradesh, Papumpare district, Balijan circle; Meghalaya, Jaintia district; Nagaland, foothills around Dimapur.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

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

Chingthang (Jynthong), Mirlong, Rong Kethang (Rengkhang, Rongkhang). Lexical similarity: 82%–96% between dialects.

Language Use

Other groups speak Karbi as L1, including some Dimasa. All also use Assamese [asm].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 54% in Assam (2001 census). Radio programs. Grammar. Bible: 1952.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Karbi
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

A Scheduled Tribe. Hindu, traditional religion, Christian.