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JANUARY, 1902.] A NOTE ON THE KUKI-CHIN LANGUAGES.
II.
Northern Chin Dialects.
1. Thado.In Manipur called Khongzai; in South Cachar also called Sairang. The dialect is spoken in different parts of the Manipur State, especially in the south. It is also spoken in six villages in the Kanhow jurisdiction of the Northern Chin Hills. Almost identical dialects are spoken in the Nâga Hills, South Cachar, and Sylhet.
Note.
Jangshên.-Spoken in North Cachar. Probably identical with Thâdo. Katlang, Khlangam, Kotang, Shikshinshum, and Shingsol are said to be different forms of Jangshên. They are probably only tribal names.
2. Sokte.Spoker in the northernmost part of the Chin Hills. Includes the Kanhow and Yo tribes. Probably closely akin to Thâdo and Siyin.
3. Siyin. 4. Balte.
Spoken to the south of Sokte in the villages round Fort White. Spoken in the Lushai Hills and the Cachar Plains.
5. Paite. Spoken by individuals in several Lushêi villages in the Lushai Hills.
Note.
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The two last dialects are a link between the Northern and Central Chin dialects.
III.
Central Chin Dialects.
1. Shunkla or Tashon. Probably more than one dialect. Spoken to the south of the Siyins. Comprises the Tawyans, Kweshins, Whenos, and Yahows.
(a) Yahow or Zahao. - Spoken in the western part of the territory of the Tashôns, and in the Lushai Hills to the west and south of Lungvel.
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2. Lushei or Dulien. — The lingua franca of the Lushai Hills. Also spoken by a few individuals in the south-west corner of the Cachar Plains. It seems to possess great vitality and is said to have entirely superseded dialects such as Vangche and Kolrhing.
(a) Ngenté. A dialect of Lushôi spoken in the southern part of the Hills.
3. Lai or Baungshe. Under this name are comprised several tribes of the Chin Hills to the south of the Tashôns. The chief are the Hakas, Tlantlangs, Yokwas, Thettas, and Kapis. The most eastern is the Shonshe of Gangaw.
(a) Tlantlang. This tribe is to the south and west of the Tashôns, bordering the Lushai Hills. An offshoot of Tlantlang is
(b) Lakher. Spoken in the Lungleh subdivision of the Lushai Hills.
Note. Most of the tribes known as Shendus and Pois are Tlantlangs.
4. Banjogi. Spoken by a small tribe in the Chakma and Boh Mong Chief's Circles in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
5. Pankhu.-Spoken in the same locality as Banjôgt. Seems to have been originally almost identical with that dialect, but has been influenced by some Old Kuki form of speech.
IV. Old Kuki Dialects.
1. Rangkhol.-Spoken in Hill Tipperah, North Cachar, and the Khasi and Jaintia Hills. 2. Bête.-Spoken in North Cachar and the Cachar Plains.
3. Hallam.-Spoken in Hill Tipperah and Sylhet. It is probably identical with Khelma and Sakajaib.
4. Langrong.-Spoken in Hill Tipperah, and in the Cachar Plains to the South and East of the Sadr sub-division. It is also spoken in Kamalganj; Sylhet.