Jingpho
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A language of Myanmar
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
Aphu, Chingp’o, Chingpaw, Jinghpaw, Jingphaw, Kachin, Phu
Autonym
Jinghpo
Population
900,000 (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). Total users in all countries: 940,000.
Location
Kachin state: large area except north and southwest; Shan state: Lashio and Muse districts; Sagaing region: western border strip.
Language Maps
Language Status
Classification
Dialects
Hkaku (Hka-Hku), Kauri (Gauri, Guari, Hkauri), Dzili (Jili), Dulong (Dalaung, Duleng). Dzili is likely a separate language that is most likely extinct. Hkaku and Kauri are only slightly different. Lexical similarity: 50% with Singhpo [sgp] of India.
Typology
SOV; adjectives and numbers follow nouns; singular, dual, plural pronouns; tense-lax vowel distinction; 4 tones.
Language Use
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 60%–100%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75%. Some community literacy classes. Newspapers. Radio. Videos. Dictionary. Bible: 1927–2016.
Language Resources
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Kachin refers to a cultural, not linguistic, group. Christian.