Phom language

Wikipedia

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

Phom is a Sino-Tibetan language spoken by the Phom Nagas of Nagaland, Northeast India. It's speakers are primarily in Longleng district and few parts of bordering districts. The Phom language is written in Latin script and consists of 27 letters.




Alternate names for Phom language includes Phom, Phom shah. "Shah" is the Phom word for language. A Morung is called Pang and log drums, popular in Phom tradition are referred to as Shem.

Phonology

All phonological charts are from Burling (1998).

Consonants
Bilabial Alveolar Postalveolar Palatal Velar Glottal
Stop aspirated ʈ͡ʂʰ
unaspirated p t ʈ͡ʂ k
Fricative voiceless ʂ h
voiced ʐ
Nasal m n ɲ ŋ
Approximant w l 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'nüvai
"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.