Naga, Tangkhul

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A language of Myanmar

ISO 639-3
ntx
Alternate Names
Somara, Somra
Population

4,000 (2004 SIL).

Location

Sagaing Region, south Layshi township, Somra tract; Homalin township.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

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

Somra. Very little dialect variation within Tangkhul (Somra) Naga. Somra village is the prestige dialect. Lexical similarity: 93%–94% with Tangkhul (Somra) Naga, 31% with Tangkhul Naga [nmf] in India, 51%–52% with Akyaung Ari Naga [nqy], 29%–32% with Koki Naga [nxk].

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use Burmese [mya].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: Below 1%. Bible: 1989.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Naga, Tangkhul
Writing
Latin script, based on the Somra village dialect.
Other Comments

Included in official ethnic group list as Tangkhul. The Koki Naga [nxk] and Akyaung Ari Naga [nqy] in Myanmar are included tribally within Tangkhul, but their languages are quite distinct. The Tangkhul (Somra) Naga [ntx] language in Myanmar is very different from Tangkhul (Ukhrul) Naga [nmf] in India. Christian, Buddhist, traditional religion.