Tiwa

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A language of India

ISO 639-3
lax
Alternate Names
Dowyan, Lalung
User Population

33,900 (2011 census). Ethnic population: 171,000 (2001 census).

Location

Assam state: Kamrup, Karbi Anglong, Lakhimpur, Nagaon, and Sibsagar districts; Meghalaya state: Khasi Hills district.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Sal, Boro-Garo, Boro-Tiwa
Dialects

Hajowali, Datiyali.

Language Use

Quite a few in Brahmaputra valley adopted Assamese [asm] as L1. Resurgent interest to learn the mother tongue; approved by the state in 2004 to be taught as a subject up to class 4. Home, market. Some of all ages. Many also use Assamese [asm]. Also use English [eng].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 62% for Assam (2001 census). Literacy rate higher in the plains. In the hills, equally low among men and women. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1972.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Tiwa
Writing

Bengali (Bangla) script [Beng]. Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Hindu.