Phom language

Phom is a Sino-Tibetan language spoken by the Phom people of Nagaland, north-eastern India. Its speakers are primarily found in Longleng District and in small parts of bordering districts. The Phom language consist of 27 letters written in Latin script.

Phom
Native toIndia
RegionNagaland
Native speakers
54,416 (2011 estimation)[1]
Sino-Tibetan
  • Konyak–Phom
Language codes
ISO 639-3nph
Glottologphom1236
ELPPhom Naga




Alternate names for Phom language include Assiringia, Chingmengu, Phom people, Yongnyah dialect, and Tamlu dialect. A Morung is called Bang in Phom language and log drums are referred as Shem.

Phonology

All phonological charts are from Burling (1998).

Consonants
Bilabial Alveolar Postalveolar Palatal Velar Glottal
Stop aspirated
voiced b d
Affricate t͡ʃ
Fricative voiceless ʃ h
voiced ʒ
Nasal m n ɲ ŋ
Approximant j

Vocabulary

A large part of the vocabulary of Phom is inherited from proto-Sino-Tibetan.

Meaning Old Chinese Written Tibetan Written Burmese Phom
"I" *ŋangaŋangei
"you" *njaʔnaŋnüng
"not" *mjamama'
"two" *njijsgnyishnac < *hnitnyi
"three" *sumgsumsûmjem
"five" *ŋaʔlngaŋânga
"six" *C-rjukdrugkhrok < *khrukvok
"sun", "day" *njitnyi-mane < *niynyih
"name" *mjeŋmingə-mañ < *ə-miŋmen
"eye" *mjukmigmyakmük
"fish" *ŋjanyaŋânyah
"dog" *kʷʰenʔkhyikhwe < *khuyshi


References

  1. "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.
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