Thadou language

Thadou

Pronunciation
Native to
Region	Northeast India, Chin State
Ethnicity
Speakers	200,000
Language family	Sino-Tibetan
Early forms
Writing system
Official status
Regulated by

The Thadou language is a Kuki-Chin language spoken primarily in the northeastern states of India and parts of Myanmar. It is one of the many languages spoken by the Thadou people, who are part of the larger Kuki ethnic group.

Geographic Distribution

Thadou is predominantly spoken in the Indian states of Manipur, Nagaland, Assam, and Mizoram. In Myanmar, it is spoken in the Chin State.

Classification

Thadou belongs to the Sino-Tibetan language family, specifically the Kuki-Chin branch. Within this branch, it is classified under the Northern Kuki-Chin subgroup.

Phonology

The phonological system of Thadou includes a range of consonants and vowels typical of the Kuki-Chin languages. It features both voiced and voiceless stops, nasals, and approximants.

Writing System

Thadou is written using the Latin script, which was introduced by Christian missionaries in the 19th century. The script has been adapted to suit the phonological needs of the language.

Cultural Significance

The Thadou language is an integral part of the cultural identity of the Thadou people. It is used in traditional songs, folklore, and oral literature. Efforts are being made to preserve and promote the language through education and media.

Language Status

Thadou is considered a vulnerable language due to the influence of dominant regional languages and the migration of speakers to urban areas. Language preservation initiatives are underway to document and revitalize the language.

See Also

• Kuki-Chin languages
• Thadou people
• Sino-Tibetan languages

References

• Ethnologue: Languages of the World
• Glottolog

External Links

• [Thadou language resources at Ethnologue](https://www.ethnologue.com/language/tcz)
• [Glottolog entry for Thadou](https://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/thad1239)