Karbi

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A language of India

ISO 639-3
mjw
Alternate Names
Arleng Alam, Karbi Karbak, Manchati, “Mikir” , “Mikiri” , 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.
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

A Scheduled Tribe. Hindu, traditional religion, Christian.