Karbi

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A language of India

ISO 639-3
mjw
Alternate Names
Karbi Karbak, Karbiarlong, Manchati, Nihang, Puta, “Mikir” (pej.), “Mikiri” (pej.)
Autonym
Arleng Alam
User Population

529,000 (2011 census).

Location

Arunachal Pradesh state: Papumpare district, Balijan sub-district; Assam state: Cachar, Darrang, Karbi Anglong, Lakhimpur, Marigaon, Nagaon, and Sonitpur districts in Mikir and Rengma hills; Meghalaya state: Jaintia district; Nagaland state: Dimapur area foothills.

Language Maps
Language Status

5* (Developing).

Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Karbi
Dialects

Chingthang (Jynthong), Mirlong, Rong Kethang (Rengkhang, Rongkhang). Lexical similarity: 82%–96% between dialects.

Language Use

Other groups speak Karbi as L1, including some Dimasa. Also use Assamese [asm], among all age groups. Also use English [eng]. Used as L2 by Sakachep [sch].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 54% in Assam (2001 census). Literature. Radio. Grammar. Bible: 1952.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Karbi
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Hindu, Christian, traditional religion.