Liangmai language

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Wikipedia

Liangmai language
Kwoireng
Lianglad
Native toIndia
RegionManipur, Nagaland
EthnicityLiangmai Naga
Native speakers
49,800 (2011)[1]
Latin
Language codes
ISO 639-3njn
Glottologlian1251
ELPLiangmai Naga

Liangmai language or Lianglad is a Sino-Tibetan language spoken by the Liangmai Naga community in the Naga Hills in the northeast part of India, in the states of Nagaland and Manipur. It has been called Kwoireng and is particularly close to Zeme, Inpui and Rongmei. Legend has it that Lianglad is the language of the gods or charah lad in Lianglad. The pagans from the Rongmei tribe are known to still be using lianglad while performing rituals. Before the advent of Christianity, the people practiced paganism. Thus, according to their belief, nature, like mountains, caves, rivers, trees, etc., was ruled or governed by gods, and it is these gods that speak Lianglad.

In 2002, Lianglad was listed as one of the endangered dialects. But today, with the increasing number of its people, its speakers are increasing, and it is one of the most spoken dialects among the dialects of the Nagas. Researchers and scholars have started audio recording of the dialect as part of their thesis and projects, and at the same time, these recordings will serve a great deal in the preservation of the dialect in the long run. The State Government of Manipur approved the recognition of the "Liangmai" dialect on 23 May 2013. Hence, Lianglad has now been officially recognised and will be used in schools as a medium of instruction and examination. Lianglad is spoken in Peren district of Nagaland and Senapati district, Tamenglong district, Kangpokpi district of Manipur.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Liangmai language at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
  2. ↑ "Liangmei Naga". Word Press. Retrieved 28 August 2025.

Further reading

  • Liangmai Language Resource collection of Liangmai language documentation in the Computational Resource for South Asian Languages (CoRSAL) archive