War-Jaintia
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A language of Bangladesh
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
War-Khasi
Population
16,000 (2003 SIL). 4,000 monolinguals. Total users in all countries: 41,900.
Location
Sylhet division: Moulvi Bazar district, Alinagar, Barlekha, Fenchuganj area, Fultala, Goalbari, Islampur, Kamalganj, Khajori, Madhabkunda, Rashidpur, and Satgoan; Sylhet district, Jaflong area, Jaintiapur, north of Raipur, and Tamabil.
Language Maps
Language Status
6a (Vigorous).
Classification
Dialects
Typology
SVO; prepositions; articles before noun heads; CV, CVC, CVV, V, VCV, CCV, CCVC; nontonal.
Language Use
Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 40% in Bengali [ben]; many are literate in standard Khasi [kha]. Using Latin script for War-Jaintia produces some pronunciation problems but eases transition into Khasi. Taught in primary schools. Grammar.
Language Resources
Writing
Unwritten [Qaax].
Learning standard Khasi [kha] is important due to affinity with the larger Khasi ethnic group. Standard Khasi has high prestige. Christian, traditional religion.