Chin, Senthang

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A language of Myanmar

ISO 639-3
sez
Alternate Names
Hsemtang
Population

33,000 (2007 SIL).

Location

Chin State, Hakha township; Thantlang township, 2 villages; Magway region, Gangaw township, 15 villages; Sagaing region, Kaleymyo township, 2 villages.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

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

Central Senthang (Bungzung, Khuapi, Lei-Um, Phaipha), Sakta, Shoneshi (Shonshe), Shonshe, Surkhua/Lungrang. High intelligibility among all Senthang villages, except possibly outlying dialects of Shoneshi, Surkhua (Lungrang), and Sakta. Lexical similarity: 79%–95% within Senthang.

Typology

SOV; negation is marked after the verb

Language Use

Vigorous in Hakha township villages; lower use in Magway division, Gangaw township. All domains in Hakha township villages. All ages. Positive attitudes. Older generation also uses Haka Chin [cnh], younger generation also use Burmese [mya].

Language Development
Some community literacy classes (2011).
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Chin, Senthang
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Preliminary orthography developed and primers designed: 2007–2010. Christian, Buddhist.