Monpa, Tawang

A language of India

Brahmi, Cuona Menba, Dwags, Monkit, Northern Monpa, Takpa, Tawan Monba

User Population

8,600 in India. Total users in all countries: 9,900.

Location

Arunachal Pradesh state: Tawang district.

Language Maps

6a (Vigorous).

Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish, East Bodish

Typology

Basic SOV.

Language Use

Vigorous. Home, village, religion. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use English [eng]. Also use Hindi [hin]. Used as L2 by Chug [cvg], Sherdukpen [sdp].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 32% (2001 census).

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Monpa, Tawang

Writing

Devanagari script [Deva].

Other Comments

Monpa (Moinba), ‘man of the lower country’, refers to several ethnically related peoples, which may not be related linguistically. Buddhist.

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China

Language NameMonba, Cuona

User Population

1,300 in China (2000 census). 600 Southern Cuona, 700 Northern Cuona. Less than half monolingual: Young children, older people, some young adults. Ethnic population: 10,600 (2010 census). Includes Tshangla [tsj] speakers.

Location

Xizang Autonomous Region: Shannan prefecture, Cuona county, Lebu district; Linzhi prefecture, Motuo county, Dexing district, Wenlang village.

Alternate Names

Buruomiba, Cona Monba, Cuona Menba, Cuona Monpa, Dakpa, Dwags, Menba, Menpa, Moinba, Momba, Mompa, Monba, Monpa, Pramipa, Takpa, Tawan Monba

Dialects

Northern Cuona, Southern Cuona.

Language Status

6a (Vigorous). Language of recognized nationality: Menba.

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Many also use Central Tibetan [bod], and about one-third are literate in the language. Used as L2 by Boga’er Luoba [adi].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 44% (2000 census, Monba nationality). Most are literate in Tibetan [bod].

Other Comments

Cuona Monba [twm] differs from Tshangla in phonology, vocabulary, and grammar, and is not mutually intelligible. Shares many Tibetan language characteristics. Is the same as, or closely related to, Bumthangkha of Bhutan. May also be classified as North Assam, Monpa. Buddhist.

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Monpa, Tawang

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A language of India

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