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Hmar language

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Hmar
Hmar Țawng
Pronunciation[hmar (nasal word uses nose to pronounce)] [clarification needed]
Native toIndia
RegionMizoram,[1] Manipur,[2] Assam,[3] Tripura, and Meghalaya[4]
EthnicityHmar
Native speakers
98,988[5]
Language codes
ISO 639-3hmr
Glottologhmar1241
ELPHmar

The Hmar language(Northern Mizo) belongs to the Mizo language branch of the Sino-Tibetan family of languages. The speakers of this language use Mizo language as their second language (L2).[6][7]

Hmar is a recognised language in the School curriculum of Assam, Manipur and Mizoram, and also recently recognised as one of the Modern Indian Language (MIL) at Manipur University. Board of Secondary Education, Assam has also included Hmar as an MIL in its matriculation syllabus from 2005. Both Manipur University and Assam University, Silchar has also permitted Khawsak Hmar language to be studied as Modern Indian Language in the Graduation level.[citation needed]

Hawrawp (Alphabets)

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The Hmar alphabets, known as Hmar Hawrawp has 25 letters: 6 vowels and 19 consonants.[8] It is a modified version of the Roman script with some diacritic marks to help pronounce the dialect.[9]

Hmar Hawrawp
A Aw B Ch D E F G Ng H
I J K L M N O P R S
T Ț U V Z

Pronunciation

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Alphabets[9] As In
a "aa" of father
aw "aww" of omnipotent or awkward
b bee
ch chaw
d dee
e ee
f eff
g "ek" of acknowledge
ng "ang" of angst
h eich
i eye
j jay
k kay
l el or elle
m em
n "en" of end
o "ou" of ouch
p pee
r are
s ess
t tee
ṭ tree
u ooh
v vee
z zet

Geographical distribution

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Khawsak dialect of Hmar is spoken in the following locations

Since Hmar speakers are scattered over a vast area in Mizoram, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura, Chittagong Hill tracts, and Cachar district of Assam state and Myanmar, there appears to be slight dialectal distinction. In Manipur, Hmar exhibits partial mutual intelligibility with the other Kukish dialects of the area including Thadou, Paite, Aimol, Vaiphei, Simte, Kom and Gangte languages.[10]

Ṭawngkasuok

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Ṭawngkasuok (Trong-ka-sook) are adages or old sayings used by the Hmar people and literally translates to "languages spoken out of the mouth."[11]

Hmar Saying Contextual Translation Explanation
A chângin hmar thing a pâr a, a chângin sim thing a pâr "Sometimes the northern tree blooms, sometimes the southern ones " Everything has its time; patience is key.
Ṭawng inbuo le tui inbuo rût thei an nawh "Words and water, once spilled, cannot be taken back." Speak wisely; words have lasting consequences.
Lal ngai lo lal a kha "A king who's never been a king." This is a negative remark used to describe someone in power, implying they are unworthy or corrupt despite holding authority. While culturally resonant, its broader applicability may vary.
Pân lovah tho a fu ngai nawh "A fly will always land on an open wound." This implies that misfortune or trouble often attracts blame or negativity, suggesting that there’s always a cause but with an accusatory undertone.
Khûpin lû a khêl thei nawh "The knee can never rise above the head " This is a negative quote implying there are inherent limitations in life, suggesting that no matter how hard one strives, they will never exceed their rightful or designated place. It reflects a fatalistic view, where ambition and effort are constrained by unchangeable boundaries.

References

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  1. ^ "Open Government Data (OGD) Platform India". data.gov.in. 21 January 2022.
  2. ^ "Open Government Data (OGD) Platform India". data.gov.in. 21 January 2022.
  3. ^ "Open Government Data (OGD) Platform India". data.gov.in. 21 January 2022.
  4. ^ "Open Government Data (OGD) Platform India". data.gov.in. 21 January 2022.
  5. ^ "Statement 1: Abstract of speakers' strength of languages and mother tongues - 2011". www.censusindia.gov.in. Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  6. ^ "Did you know Hmar is vulnerable?". Endangered Languages. Retrieved 31 July 2023. ... Hmar speakers of Manipur use Manipuri while Assamese and Bengali are used in Assam. Ethnic Hmars living in Mizoram speak Mizo as their first language....
  7. ^ Lisam, Khomdan Singh (2011). Encyclopaedia Of Manipur (3 Vol.). Gyan Publishing House. p. 561. ISBN 978-81-7835-864-2. ... They speak Hmar language and converse well in Manipuri (Meiteilon) ...
  8. ^ Pangamte, L. Ruoivel (2019). New Hmar Grammar And Composition. Hmar Literature Society Manipur. p. 1.
  9. ^ a b Bapui, VL Tluonga (2012). Hmar Tawng Inchukna (A Lexical Study of the Hmar Language & Usages). The Assam Institute of Research for Tribals and Scheduled Castes.
  10. ^ Singh, Chungkham Yashawanta (1995). "The linguistic situation in Manipur" (PDF). Linguistics of the Tibeto-Burman Area. 18 (1): 129–134. doi:10.32655/LTBA.18.1.09. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
  11. ^ Vanlalawmpuia, C. "Ṭawngkasuok: Traditional Sayings of the Hmar People" (PDF). Mizoram University Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences. 10 (1): 235–242.
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Hmar language test of Wikipedia at Wikimedia Incubator


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