Chin, Matu

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A language of Myanmar

ISO 639-3
hlt
Alternate Names
Matupi, Nga La
Autonym
Matu, Matu Chin
User Population

30,000 in Myanmar (2012). Total users in all countries: 40,000.

Location

Chin state: Matupi township.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Kuki-Chin, Peripheral, Southern, Cho-Asho, Cho
Dialects

Siing (Vuitu), Doem (Ngatu, Valang), Langle-Tamtlaih, Ngaleng, Phaneng, Thlangpang (Changpyang), Ngala (Batu). Not intelligible with Hakha Chin [cnh]. Mizoram Matu reportedly not intelligible with Myanmar varieties. There are many Matu varieties in Myanmar, all intelligible to some extent with each other. Lexical similarity: 78%–89% within Matu varieties in Myanmar, 65%–76% with Rawngtu Chin [weu], 66%–71% with Thaiphum Chin [cth].

Typology

SOV; negation is marked after the verb.

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Burmese [mya]. Also use Hakha Chin [cnh]. Used as L2 by Thaiphum Chin [cth].

Language Development

Dictionary. Bible: 2006.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Chin, Matu
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

The Chin in Mindat township refer to all the Matu as Batu, but the Matu use this name only for the area around Matupi town. Christian.

Also spoken in:

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