Naga, Tangkhul

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A language of Myanmar

ISO 639-3
ntx
Alternate Names
Somara, Somra
Population

4,000 (2004 SIL).

Location

Sagain, 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]. Used as L2 by Akyaung Ari Naga [nqy], Koki Naga [nxk].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: Below 1%. Bible: 1989.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Naga, Tangkhul
Writing

Latin script [Latn], 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.