Mao_Naga_language

Mao language (Manipur)

Mao language (Manipur)

Sino-Tibetan language spoken in India

Mao, also known as Sopvoma, is a Sino-Tibetan language of the Angami–Pochuri linguistic sub-branch.[2] It is spoken primarily in Senapati district, northwestern Manipur and in Nagaland, India. It is similar to Angami.[3] The speakers of this language use Meitei language as their second language (L2) according to the Ethnologue.[4]

Meetei Mayek
This article contains the Meitei alphabet. Without proper rendering support, you may see errors in display.
Not to be confused with Mao languages or Southern Mao language.

Quick Facts Pronunciation, Native to ...

Phonology

Consonants

More information Labial, Dental ...
  • /t͡ʃʰ/ and /w/ only rarely occur, and with /t͡ʃʰ/ only occurring in word-initial position.
  • The pre-aspirated voiceless /ʰr̥/, may have a word-initial allophone of [ʂ], [ʂ] rarely occurs phonemically.
  • [ɡ] only occurs marginally from loanwords.
  • /t̪, p͡f/ in word-initial position may be heard as [t̪ʰ, p͡fʰ] in free variation, rarely as phonemic.
  • /h/ may have an allophone of [x] word-initially, word medially in free variation. [x] rarely occurs as a phoneme.
  • /m/ before a central vowel /ɨ/ can have an allophone of a labiodental [ɱ].
  • /n/ before high vowel sounds can have an allophone of a palatalized [nʲ].

Vowels

More information Front, Central ...
  • [ə] only occurs inter-morphemically.
  • /ɨ/ can be heard as rounded [ʉ] in free variation.
  • In word-initial position, /i, u/ can be lowered to [ɪ, ʊ].
  • /e, o/ can be lowered to [ɛ, ɔ] in word-final position.[5]

References

  1. [1]
    "Statement 1: Abstract of speakers' strength of languages and mother tongues – 2011". censusindia.gov.in. Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  2. [2]
    "Mao (Naga) language and alphabet". omniglot.com. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  3. [3]
    "Mao (Naga) language and alphabet". omniglot.com. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  4. [4]
    "Meitei | Ethnologue". Ethnologue. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  5. [5]
    Giridhar, P. P. (1994). Mao Naga Grammar. Mysore: Central Institute of Indian Languages.


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