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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Short description|Sino-Tibetan language spoken in India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2022}}
{{multiple|
{{more citations|date=July 2024}}
{{citation style|date=July 2024}}}}
 
{{Infobox language
{{Infobox language
|name=Chiru  
| name = Chiru  
|altname=Rem
| altname = Rem
|nativename= Rem
| nativename = {{lang|cdf|Rem}}
|states= [[India]]
| states = [[India]]
|region=scattered through [[Manipur]]
| region = [[Manipur]]
|ethnicity= [[Chiru Naga]]
| ethnicity = [[Chiru people]]
|speakers=8,599
| speakers = 8,599
|date=2011
| date = 2011
|ref=e18
| ref = e18
|familycolor=Sino-Tibetan
| familycolor = Sino-Tibetan
|fam2=(Central Tibeto-Burman)
| fam2       = [[Tibeto-Burman languages|Tibeto-Burman]]
|fam3=[[Southern Naga languages|Southern Naga]]
| fam3       = [[Kuki-Chin–Naga languages|Kuki-Chin–Naga]]
|fam4=
| fam4       = [[Kuki-Chin languages|Kuki-Chin]]
|iso3=cdf
| fam5       = [[Northwestern Kuki-Chin languages|Northwestern]]
|glotto=chir1283
| iso3 = cdf
|glottorefname=Chiru
| glotto = chir1283
| glottorefname = Chiru
}}
}}


'''Chiru''' (''Naga'') is a [[Southern Naga languages|Southern Naga]] language spoken mostly in [[Manipur]]. The Chiru population numbers approximately 8,599. It is an endangered spoken in three districts of Manipur: [[Senapati district|Senapati]], [[Noney district|Noney]] district of Manipur and [[Cachar district|Cachar]] district of Assam. Chiru has been recognized as a Scheduled Tribe of Manipur by the government of India since 1956 under "The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Orders (Amendment) Act, Act No. 63 of 1956" Dated 25 September 1956. The total population of the native speakers of Chiru is only 8599 (Census of India: 2011). The native speakers have high proficiency in [[Meitei language|Meitei]]. The language is neither used in schools nor in radio or mass media. Older people read and write in Manipuri written in [[Bengali (script)|Bengali script]], but the younger generation prefers [[Roman Script|Roman script]].
'''Purum''' is a [[Kuki-Chin languages|Kuki-Chin]] language, belonging to the [[Northwestern Kuki-Chin languages|Northwestern]] or "Old Kuki" subfamily.<ref>
{{citation |last=Peterson |first=David |chapter=On Kuki-Chin subgrouping |editor1=Picus Sizhi Ding |editor2=Jamin Pelkey |title=Sociohistorical linguistics in Southeast Asia: New horizons for Tibeto-Burman studies in honor of David Bradley |pages=191–192 |location=Leiden |publisher=Brill |year=2017 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gwEtDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA191 |ref={{sfnref|Peterson, On Kuki-Chin subgrouping|2017}}}}
</ref>
spoken in [[Manipur]] and [[Assam]]. The Chiru population numbers approximately 8,599. It is an endangered language spoken in only three districts of India: [[Kangpokpi district|Kangpokpi]], [[Noney district|Noney]] districts of Manipur and [[Cachar district|Cachar]] district of Assam. The speakers of this language use [[Meitei language]] as their second language (L2).<ref>{{ethnologue26|mni|Meitei}}</ref>
The Chiru language is neither used in schools nor in radio or mass media. Older people read and write in Meitei language. The younger generation of Chiru speakers prefers the Latin script.


The Chirus are one of the earliest inhabitants of [[Manipur]] and [[Assam]]. Cheitharol Kumbaba, the Royal Chronicles of Manipur mentioned that King Meidingu Chalamba defeated the Chirus in 1554. This proves that the Chirus had settled in Manipur long before this period. It was also mentioned in the Royal Chronicles of Manipur that an incidence of Meitei King's incursion on Nungsai Chiru Village occurred on 22nd day of Wakching (December–January) 1729 during the reign of Maharaja Garibniwaz (Cheitharol Kumbaba: 1989:90). In spite of the considerably long period of their settlement in the two states (Manipur and Assam), the population of Chiru native speakers is shockingly very low. The growth rate of their population was extremely steady. This might be due to high mortality rate and low birth rate in the previous centuries.
The Chirus are one of the earliest inhabitants of [[Manipur]] and [[Assam]]. [[Cheitharol Kumbaba]], the Royal Chronicle of Manipur mentioned that King Meidingu Chalamba defeated the Chirus in 1554. This proves that the Chirus had settled in Manipur long before this period. It was also mentioned in the Royal Chronicles of Manipur that an incidence of Meitei King's incursion on Nungsai Chiru Village occurred on 22nd day of Wakching (December–January) 1729 during the reign of [[Gharib Nawaz (Manipur)|Maharaja Garibniwaz]] ([[Cheitharol Kumbaba]]: 1989:90). In spite of the considerably long period of their settlement in the two states (Manipur and Assam), the population of Chiru native speakers is shockingly very low. The growth rate of their population was extremely steady. This might be due to high mortality rate and low birth rate in the previous centuries.


The domain of language use for Chiru is very limited. The usage of Chiru by Chiru native speakers is specifically confined only at home domain and within the community among the native speakers. The language proficiency of Chiru native speakers ranges from bilingual to multilingual. The native speakers in [[Manipur]] have high proficiency in [[Manipuri (Meiteilon Language)|Manipuri]] and those in [[Assam]] have high proficiency in [[Hmar languages|Hmar]], [[Manipuri (Meiteilon Language)|Manipuri]] and [[Sylheti language|Sylheti Bengali]]. Chiru speakers in Manipur generally speak [[Manipuri (Meiteilon Language)|Manipuri]], [[Hindi]] or [[English language|English]] while those of Assam speak [[Hmar languages|Hmar]], [[Sylheti language|Sylheti Bengali]], [[Manipuri (Meiteilon Language)|Manipuri]] or [[Hindi]] at the time of interaction with non-Chiru speakers. The Chiru native speakers in Manipur usually speak either [[Manipuri (Meiteilon Language)|Manipuri]] or [[Hindi]] in the market place, office etc. Moreover, they also speak Paior Thwhen they interact with, and  speakers respectively. On the other hand, Chiru speakers of Assam speak [[Sylheti language|Sylheti Bengali]], [[Manipuri (Meiteilon Language)|Manipuri]] or [[Hmar languages|Hmar]] in the market places, offices or anywhere outside home domain. It is painful to mention that Chiru of Assam has not been recognized by the government of Assam. They are rather recognized as Hmar. Chiru is neither used in schools nor in radio or mass media. Older people read and write in Manipuri written in [[Bengali (script)|Bengali script]], but the younger generation prefers [[Roman Script|Roman script]].  Even the children normally become bilingual at the minimum age of 5 since they acquire the second language in schools.<ref>Awan, Mechek Sampar and  . Mary Kim. 2018. "Nature and Extent of Endangerment in Chiru" A research paper presented in the 6th International Conference on Endangered and Lesser-Known Languages, Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysuru.</ref>
The domain of language use for Chiru is very limited. The usage of Chiru by Chiru native speakers is specifically confined only at home domain and within the community among the native speakers. The language proficiency of Chiru native speakers ranges from bilingual to multilingual. The native speakers in [[Manipur]] have high proficiency in [[Meitei language]] ([[Manipuri language]]) and those in [[Assam]] have high proficiency in [[Hmar languages|Hmar]], [[Meitei language]] and [[Sylheti language|Sylheti Bengali]]. Chiru speakers in Manipur generally speak [[Meitei language]], [[Hindi]] or [[English language|English]] while those of Assam speak [[Hmar languages|Hmar]], [[Sylheti language|Sylheti Bengali]], [[Meitei language]] or [[Hindi]] at the time of interaction with non-Chiru speakers. The Chiru native speakers in Manipur usually speak either [[Meitei language]] or [[Hindi]] in the market place, office etc. Moreover, they also speak Paior Thwhen they interact with, and  speakers respectively. On the other hand, Chiru speakers of Assam speak [[Sylheti language|Sylheti Bengali]], [[Meitei language]] or [[Hmar languages|Hmar]] in the market places, offices or anywhere outside home domain. It is painful to mention that Chiru of Assam has not been recognized by the government of Assam. They are rather recognized as Hmar. Chiru is neither used in schools nor in radio or mass media. Even the children normally become bilingual at the minimum age of 5 since they acquire the second language in schools.<ref>{{cite conference |last1=Awan |first1=Mechek Sampar |first2=Mary |last2=Kim |year=2018 |title=Nature and Extent of Endangerment in Chiru |conference=6th International Conference on Endangered and Lesser-Known Languages, Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysuru}}</ref>


==Geographical distribution==
==Geographical distribution==
Chiru is spoken in the following locations of [[Northeast India]] (''[[Ethnologue]]'').<ref>Awan, Mechek Sampar. 2014. Segmental Phonology of Chiru. Language in India ISSN 1930-2940 Vol 14:10</ref>
Chiru is spoken in the following locations of [[Northeast India]] (''[[Ethnologue]]'').<ref>{{cite journal |last=Awan |first=Mechek Sampar |date=October 2014 |url=http://www.languageinindia.com/oct2014/awanchirufinal.pdf |title=Segmental Phonology of Chiru |journal=Language in India |issn=1930-2940 |volume=14 |issue=10}}</ref>
*[[Manipur]]
*[[Manipur]]
**[[Tamenglong district]]: Lamdangmei and Dolang villages
**[[Tamenglong district]]: Lamdangmei and Dolang villages
Line 36: Line 46:
*[[Assam]]: Budon Village, [[Cachar district]] (a village near Jiribam)
*[[Assam]]: Budon Village, [[Cachar district]] (a village near Jiribam)
*[[Nagaland]] (scattered)
*[[Nagaland]] (scattered)
==Phonology==
===Consonants===
{|class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+Consonants{{sfn|Awan|2017|p=70}}
! colspan=2| !! [[Labial consonant|Labial]] !! [[Alveolar consonant|Alveolar]] !! [[Palatal consonant|Palatal]] !! [[Velar consonant|Velar]] !! [[Glottal consonant|Glottal]]
|-
! rowspan=3|[[Stop consonant|Stop]] !! [[Tenuis consonant|Tenuis]]
| {{IPAlink|p}} || {{IPAlink|t}} || {{IPAlink|c}} || {{IPAlink|k}} || {{IPAlink|ʔ}}
|-
! [[Aspirated consonant|Aspirated]]
| {{IPAlink|pʰ}} || {{IPAlink|tʰ}} || || {{IPAlink|kʰ}} ||
|-
! [[Voiced consonant|Voiced]]
| {{IPAlink|b}} || {{IPAlink|d}} || || ||
|-
! colspan=2|[[Nasal consonant|Nasal]]
| {{IPAlink|m}} || {{IPAlink|n}} || || {{IPAlink|ŋ}} ||
|-
! rowspan=2|[[Fricative consonant|Fricative]] !! [[Voiceless consonant|Voiceless]]
| || {{IPAlink|s}} || || || {{IPAlink|h}}
|-
![[Voiced consonant|Voiced]]
| {{IPAlink|v}} || {{IPAlink|z}} || || ||
|-
! colspan=2|[[Lateral consonant|Lateral]]
| || {{IPAlink|l}} || || ||
|-
! colspan=2|[[Trill consonant|Trill]]
| || {{IPAlink|r}} || || ||
|}
===Vowels===
{|class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+Vowels{{sfn|Awan|2017|p=56}}
! !! [[Front vowel|Front]] !! [[Central vowel|Central]] !! [[Back vowel|Back]]
|-
! [[Close vowel|Close]]
| {{IPAlink|i}} || || {{IPAlink|u}}
|-
! [[Close-mid vowel|Close-mid]]
| {{IPAlink|e}} || || {{IPAlink|o}}
|-
! [[Open-mid vowel|Open-mid]]
| {{IPAlink|ɛ}} || {{IPAlink|ə}} || {{IPAlink|ɔ}}
|-
! [[Open vowel|Open]]
| || {{IPAlink|a}} ||
|}
*  {{IPAslink|ə}} does not occur in the final position.{{sfn|Awan|2017|p=60}}
* All other vowels can occur in initial, medial, and final positions.{{sfn|Awan|2017|pp=61-62}}
* Chiru also has six diphthongs: {{IPAslink|ai̯}}, {{IPAslink|ei̯}}, {{IPAslink|ɛi̯}}, {{IPAslink|ɔi̯}}, {{IPAslink|oi̯}}, and {{IPAslink|ui̯}}.{{sfn|Awan|2017|p=57}}
* {{IPAslink|ɛi̯}} and {{IPAslink|oi̯}} do not occur word-initially.{{sfn|Awan|2017|p=69}}
===Tone===
Chiru has two [[register tones]]: low and high.{{sfn|Awan|2017|p=91-92}}


== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[Meitei language]]
* [[Meitei language]]
* [[Barman language]]
* [[Barman language]]
==Notes==
{{Reflist}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
* {{Cite thesis |last=Awan |first=Mechek Sampar |title=Phonology and Morphology of Chiru |degree=PhD |publisher=Assam University |year=2017 |location=Silchar |hdl=10603/369122}}
 
==Further reading==
* {{Cite journal |last=Awan |first=Mechek Sampar |year=2019 |title=Agreement system in Chiru |journal=Himalayan Linguistics |volume=18 |issue=1 |pages=78–90 |doi=10.5070/H918143310|doi-access=free }}
* {{Cite journal |last=Haokip |first=Pauthang |year=2011 |title=The languages of Manipur: A case study of the Kuki-Chin languages |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/292351979 |journal=Linguistics of the Tibeto-Burman Area |volume=34 |issue=1 |pages=85–118 |doi=10.32655/LTBA.34.1.03 }}
* {{Cite thesis |last=Singh |first=Salam Brojen |title=Chiru Grammar |publisher=Manipur University |year=2007 |location=Canchipur}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Shailendra Kumar |title=Linguistic Ecology: Manipur |last2=Suantak |first2=Khawlsonkim |publisher=EBH Publishers |year=2011 |isbn=9789380261508 |editor-last=Singh |editor-first=Shailendra Kumar |location=Guwahati |pages=285–292 |chapter=Epilogue |oclc=777343488}}


{{Sino-Tibetan languages}}
{{Sino-Tibetan languages}}
Line 49: Line 125:
{{Hill tribes of Northeast India}}
{{Hill tribes of Northeast India}}


[[Category:Southern Naga languages]]
[[Category:Languages of Assam]]
[[Category:Languages of Manipur]]
[[Category:Languages of Manipur]]
[[Category:Languages of Nagaland]]
[[Category:Languages of Nagaland]]

Latest revision as of 16:42, 19 August 2025


Chiru
Rem
Rem
Native toIndia
RegionManipur
EthnicityChiru people
Native speakers
8,599 (2011)[1]
Language codes
ISO 639-3cdf
Glottologchir1283

Purum is a Kuki-Chin language, belonging to the Northwestern or "Old Kuki" subfamily.[2] spoken in Manipur and Assam. The Chiru population numbers approximately 8,599. It is an endangered language spoken in only three districts of India: Kangpokpi, Noney districts of Manipur and Cachar district of Assam. The speakers of this language use Meitei language as their second language (L2).[3] The Chiru language is neither used in schools nor in radio or mass media. Older people read and write in Meitei language. The younger generation of Chiru speakers prefers the Latin script.

The Chirus are one of the earliest inhabitants of Manipur and Assam. Cheitharol Kumbaba, the Royal Chronicle of Manipur mentioned that King Meidingu Chalamba defeated the Chirus in 1554. This proves that the Chirus had settled in Manipur long before this period. It was also mentioned in the Royal Chronicles of Manipur that an incidence of Meitei King's incursion on Nungsai Chiru Village occurred on 22nd day of Wakching (December–January) 1729 during the reign of Maharaja Garibniwaz (Cheitharol Kumbaba: 1989:90). In spite of the considerably long period of their settlement in the two states (Manipur and Assam), the population of Chiru native speakers is shockingly very low. The growth rate of their population was extremely steady. This might be due to high mortality rate and low birth rate in the previous centuries.

The domain of language use for Chiru is very limited. The usage of Chiru by Chiru native speakers is specifically confined only at home domain and within the community among the native speakers. The language proficiency of Chiru native speakers ranges from bilingual to multilingual. The native speakers in Manipur have high proficiency in Meitei language (Manipuri language) and those in Assam have high proficiency in Hmar, Meitei language and Sylheti Bengali. Chiru speakers in Manipur generally speak Meitei language, Hindi or English while those of Assam speak Hmar, Sylheti Bengali, Meitei language or Hindi at the time of interaction with non-Chiru speakers. The Chiru native speakers in Manipur usually speak either Meitei language or Hindi in the market place, office etc. Moreover, they also speak Paior Thwhen they interact with, and speakers respectively. On the other hand, Chiru speakers of Assam speak Sylheti Bengali, Meitei language or Hmar in the market places, offices or anywhere outside home domain. It is painful to mention that Chiru of Assam has not been recognized by the government of Assam. They are rather recognized as Hmar. Chiru is neither used in schools nor in radio or mass media. Even the children normally become bilingual at the minimum age of 5 since they acquire the second language in schools.[4]

Geographical distribution[edit | edit source]

Chiru is spoken in the following locations of Northeast India (Ethnologue).[5]

Phonology[edit | edit source]

Consonants[edit | edit source]

Consonants[6]
Labial Alveolar Palatal Velar Glottal
Stop Tenuis p t c k ʔ
Aspirated pʰ tʰ kʰ
Voiced b d
Nasal m n ŋ
Fricative Voiceless s h
Voiced v z
Lateral l
Trill r

Vowels[edit | edit source]

Vowels[7]
Front Central Back
Close i u
Close-mid e o
Open-mid ɛ ə ɔ
Open a
  • /ə/ does not occur in the final position.[8]
  • All other vowels can occur in initial, medial, and final positions.[9]
  • Chiru also has six diphthongs: /ai̯/, /ei̯/, /ɛi̯/, /ɔi̯/, /oi̯/, and /ui̯/.[10]
  • /ɛi̯/ and /oi̯/ do not occur word-initially.[11]

Tone[edit | edit source]

Chiru has two register tones: low and high.[12]

See also[edit | edit source]

Notes[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Chiru at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015)
  2. ↑ Peterson, David (2017), "On Kuki-Chin subgrouping", in Picus Sizhi Ding; Jamin Pelkey (eds.), Sociohistorical linguistics in Southeast Asia: New horizons for Tibeto-Burman studies in honor of David Bradley, Leiden: Brill, pp. 191–192
  3. ↑ Template:Ethnologue26
  4. ↑ Awan, Mechek Sampar; Kim, Mary (2018). Nature and Extent of Endangerment in Chiru. 6th International Conference on Endangered and Lesser-Known Languages, Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysuru.
  5. ↑ Awan, Mechek Sampar (October 2014). "Segmental Phonology of Chiru" (PDF). Language in India. 14 (10). ISSN 1930-2940.
  6. ↑ Awan 2017, p. 70.
  7. ↑ Awan 2017, p. 56.
  8. ↑ Awan 2017, p. 60.
  9. ↑ Awan 2017, pp. 61-62.
  10. ↑ Awan 2017, p. 57.
  11. ↑ Awan 2017, p. 69.
  12. ↑ Awan 2017, p. 91-92.

References[edit | edit source]

  • Awan, Mechek Sampar (2017). Phonology and Morphology of Chiru (PhD thesis). Silchar: Assam University. hdl:10603/369122.

Further reading[edit | edit source]

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