Phom language

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

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




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

Phonology

All phonological charts are from Burling (1998).

Consonants
Bilabial Alveolar Postalveolar Palatal Velar Glottal
Stop aspirated
voiced b d
Affricate t͡ʃ
Fricative voiceless ʃ h
voiced ʒ
Nasal m n ɲ ŋ
Approximant 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'
"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.
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