StaciWinslow at 03:43, 26 January 2026

2026-01-26T03:43:14Z

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{{short description|Language family}}
{{Confusing|date=December 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2026}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2017}}
{{Infobox language family
| name = Kuki-Chin
| altname = Kuki-Chin-Mizo, Kukish
| region = [[India]], [[Myanmar]], [[Bangladesh]]
| ethnicity = [[Zo people|Zo]]
*[[Kuki people|Kuki]]
*[[Chin people|Chin]]
*[[Mizo people|Mizo]]
*[[Zomi people|Zomi]]
| familycolor = Sino-Tibetan
| fam2 = [[Tibeto-Burman]]
| fam3 = [[Central Tibeto-Burman languages|Central Tibeto-Burman]]
| fam4 = [[Kuki-Chin–Naga languages|Kuki-Chin–Naga]]
| child1 = [[Northwestern Kuki-Chin languages|Northwestern]]
| child2 = [[Northeastern Kuki-Chin languages|Northeastern]]
| child3 = [[Central Kuki-Chin languages|Central]]
| child4 = [[Maraic languages|Maraic]]
| child5 = [[Southern Kuki-Chin languages|Southern]]
| child6 = [[Khomic languages|Khomic]]
| glotto = kuki1246
| glottoname = Kuki-Chin
| ancestor = [[Proto-Kuki-Chin]]{{sfn |VanBik |2009}}
| notes =
}}
[[File:Kuki-Chin languages map.png|thumb|right|Blue: Old Kuki, Green: Kuki-Zo, Red: Central, Orange: Maraic, Yellow: Southern, Purple: Khomic]]
The '''Kuki-Chin languages''' (also called '''Kukish'''<ref>{{cite book |last=Burling |first=Robbins |title=The Sino-Tibetan Languages |publisher=Routledge |year=2003 |isbn=0-7007-1129-5 |editor-last=Thurgood |editor-first=Graham |edition=1st |pages=169–191 |chapter=The Tibeto-Burman languages of Northeastern India |editor-last2=LaPolla |editor-first2=Randy J.}}</ref> or '''South-Central Tibeto-Burman languages''') are a branch of the [[Sino-Tibetan languages|Sino-Tibetan language family]] spoken in northeastern [[India]], western [[Myanmar]] and southeastern [[Bangladesh]]. Most notable Kuki-Chin-speaking [[ethnic group]]s are referred to collectively as the [[Zo people]] which includes the [[Mizo people|Mizo]], [[Kuki people|Kuki]], [[Chin people|Chin]] and [[Zomi people|Zomi]] people.

Kuki-Chin is alternatively called ''South-Central'' Trans-Himalayan (or ''South Central'' Tibeto-Burman) by Konnerth (2018), because of negative connotations of the term "Kuki-Chin" for many speakers of languages in this group.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Konnerth |first=Linda |year=2018 |title=The historical phonology of Monsang (Northwestern South-Central/"Kuki-Chin"): A case of reduction in phonological complexity |journal=Himalayan Linguistics |volume=17 |issue=1 |pages=19-49 |doi=10.5070/H917134878 |quote=...many language activists among the speakers of languages of the South-Central branch has made it clear to me that using the "Kuki-Chin" label is very insensitive.|doi-access=free }}</ref>

Kuki-Chin is sometimes placed under [[Kuki-Chin–Naga languages|Kuki-Chin–Naga]], a geographical rather than linguistic grouping.

==Geographical distribution==
*[[Northwestern Kuki-Chin languages|Northwestern]] ("Old Kuki"): [[Chandel district]] of Manipur, India; [[Tamu Township]] of Sagaing Region, Myanmar.
*[[Northeastern Kuki-Chin languages|Northeastern]] ("Kuki-Zo"): [[Chandel district]], [[Churachandpur district]], [[Kangpokpi district]], [[Noney district]], [[Tamenglong district]], and [[Tengnoupal district]]s of Manipur, India; [[Tedim Township]] of Chin State, Myanmar; [[Tamu Township]] of Sagaing Region, Myanmar.
*[[Central Kuki-Chin languages|Central]]: whole state of [[Mizoram]], India; [[Pherzawl district]] of Manipur, India; parts of [[Cachar district]] and parts of [[Karbi Anglong district]] of Assam, India; parts of [[East Jaintia Hills district]] of Meghalaya, India; [[Falam Township]], [[Hakha Township]], and [[Thantlang Township]]s of Chin State, Myanmar; [[Kalay Township]] and [[Khampat|Khampat area]] of Sagaing Region, Myanmar, parts of [[Chittagong Hill Tracts]] of Bangladesh.
*[[Maraic languages|Maraic]]: majority of [[Siaha district]] of [[Mizoram]], India; parts of [[Matupi Township]] of Chin State, Myanmar.
*[[Southern Kuki-Chin languages|Southern]]: [[Kanpetlet Township]], [[Matupi Township]], [[Mindat Township]], [[Paletwa Township]]s of Chin State, Myanmar; parts of the [[Arakan Range]] of Rakhine State, Myanmar; parts of [[Chittagong Hill Tracts]] of Bangladesh.
*[[Khomic languages|Khomic]]: [[Paletwa Township]] of Chin State, Myanmar; parts of [[Chittagong Hill Tracts]] of Bangladesh.

==Internal classification==
The [[Karbi language]]s may be closely related to Kuki-Chin, but Thurgood (2003) and van Driem (2011) leave Karbi unclassified within Sino-Tibetan.<ref>{{cite book |last=Thurgood |first=Graham |title=The Sino-Tibetan languages |publisher=Routledge |year=2003 |isbn=0-7007-1129-5 |editor-last=Thurgood |editor-first=Graham |location=London |pages=13–14 |chapter=A subgrouping of the Sino-Tibetan languages: The interaction between language contact, change, and inheritance |editor-last2=LaPolla |editor-first2=Randy J.}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=van Driem |first=George L. |year=2011 |title=Tibeto-Burman subgroups and historical grammar |url=http://www.linguistics.ucsb.edu/HimalayanLinguistics/articles/2011/HLJ1001B.html |url-status=dead |journal=Himalayan Linguistics Journal |volume=10 |issue=1 |pages=31–39 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112220623/http://www.linguistics.ucsb.edu/HimalayanLinguistics/articles/2011/HLJ1001B.html |archive-date=12 January 2012}}</ref>

The Kuki-Chin branches listed below are from VanBik (2009), with the ''[[Northwestern Kuki-Chin languages|Northwestern]]'' branch added from [[Scott DeLancey]], et al. (2015),<ref>{{cite conference |last=DeLancey |first=Scott |last2=Boro |first2=Krishna |last3=Konnerth |first3=Linda |last4=Teo |first4=Amos |date=14 May 2015 |title=Tibeto-Burman Languages of the Indo-Myanmar borderland |conference=31st South Asian Languages Analysis Roundtable}}</ref> and the ''[[Khomic languages|Khomic]]'' branch (which has been split off from the ''Southern'' branch) from Peterson (2017).{{sfn |Peterson |2017}}

{{tree list}}
*'''Kuki-Chin'''
**'''[[Central Kuki-Chin languages|Central]]''': [[Mizo language|Mizo]] (Duhlian), [[Bawm language|Bawm]] (Sunthla and Panghawi), [[Falam language|Falam]] (Hallam, [[Ranglong]], [[Darlong]], Hauhulh, Simpi, Hualngo, [[Chorei]]), [[Thor language|Thor]] (Tawr), [[Hmar language|Hmar]], [[Hrangkhol language|Hrangkhol]], [[Biate language|Biate]] (Biete), [[Hakha Chin language|Hakha]] (Lai/Pawi, Mi-E, Zokhua), [[Pangkhua language|Pangkhua]], [[Saihriem language|Saihriem]], [[Falam language|Laizo]]/[[Taisun language|Tlaisun]], [[Khualshim language|Khualsim]], [[Zanniat]], [[Zahau language|Zahau]], [[Sim language|Sim]]
**'''[[Maraic languages|Maraic]]''': [[Mara language|Mara]] (Tlosai {Siaha and Saikao}, Hawthai {Lyvaw, Sizo, and Lochei}, Hlaipao {Zyhno, Heima, and Lialai}), [[Zyphe language|Zophei]], [[Senthang language|Senthang]], [[Zotung language|Zotung]] (Lungngo, Calthawn, Innmai), [[Lautu Chin language|Lautu]]
**'''[[Northeastern Kuki-Chin languages|Northeastern]]''' ('''Northern'''): Suantak-Vaiphei, [[Zou language|Zo]] (Zou), [[Paite language|Paite]], [[Tedim language|Tedim]], [[Thado language|Thado]] (Kuki), [[Gangte language|Gangte]], [[Simte language|Simte]], [[Vaiphei language|Vaiphei]], [[Sizang language|Sizang]], [[Ralte language|Ralte]], [[Ngawn language|Ngawn]]
**'''[[Southern Kuki-Chin languages|Southern]]''': [[Shö language|Shö]] (Asho/Khyang, Chinbon), [[Thaiphum language|Thaiphum]], [[Daai language|Daai]] (Nitu), [[Mün language|Mün]], [[Yindu Daa languages|Yindu]], [[Nga La language|Matu]], [[Welaung language|Welaung]] (Rawngtu), [[Kaang Chin language|Kaang]], [[Laitu Chin language|Laitu]], [[Rungtu Chin language|Rungtu]], [[Songlai Chin language|Songlai]], [[Sumtu Chin language|Sumtu]]
**'''[[Khomic languages|Khomic]]''': [[Khumi language|Khumi]] (Khumi proper and Khumi Awa), [[Mro language|Mro]], [[Rengmitca language|Rengmitca]], etc.
**'''[[Northwestern Kuki-Chin languages|Northwestern]]''' ("Old Kuki"): [[Monsang language|Monsang]], [[Moyon language|Moyon]], [[Lamkang language|Lamkang]], [[Aimol language|Aimol]], [[Anal language|Anal]], [[Tarao language|Tarao]], [[Koireng language|Koireng]] (Kolhreng), [[Chiru language|Chiru]], [[Kom language (India)|Kom]], [[Chothe language|Chothe]], [[Purum language|Purum]],{{sfn |Peterson |2017}} [[Kharam language|Kharam]],{{sfn |Peterson |2017}}
{{tree list/end}}

[[Darlong language|Darlong]] and [[Ranglong language|Ranglong]] are unclassified Kuki-Chin language.

The recently discovered [[Sorbung language|Sorbung]] language may be mixed language that could classify as either a Kuki-Chin or [[Tangkhul languages|Tangkhul]] language.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Mortenson |first=David |last2=Keogh |first2=Jennifer |year=2011 |title=Sorbung, an Undocumented Language of Manipur: its Phonology and Place in Tibeto-Burman |url=http://jseals.org/JSEALS-4-1.pdf |journal=Journal of the Southeast Asian Linguistics Society |volume=4 |issue=1 |pages=64-114}}</ref>

[[Anu-Hkongso Chin language|Anu-Hkongso]] speakers self-identify as ethnic [[Chin people]], although their language is closely related to [[Mru language|Mru]] rather than to Kuki-Chin languages. The [[Mruic languages]] constitute a separate Tibeto-Burman branch, and are not part of Kuki-Chin.{{sfn |Peterson |2017}}

===VanBik (2009)===
Kenneth VanBik classified the Kuki-Chin languages based on shared [[sound changes]] (phonological innovations) from Proto-Kuki-Chin as follows.{{sfn |VanBik |2009 |p=23}}

{{tree list}}
*'''Kuki-Chin'''
**[[Central Kuki-Chin languages|Central]]: *k(ʰ)r-, *p(ʰ)r- > *t(ʰ)r-; *k(ʰ)l-, *p(ʰ)l- > *t(ʰ)l-; *y- > *z-
***[[Pangkhua language|Pangkhua]]?
***[[Tawr language|Lamtuk Thet]]: Lamtuk, Ruavan
***[[Lai languages|Lai]]
****[[Hakha Chin language|Hakha]]: [[Hakha Chin language|Hakha]], [[Thantlang]], Zokhua
****[[Falam language|Falam]]: [[Bawm language|Bawm]], Bualkhaw, [[Falam language|Laizo]], Lente, [[Khualshim language|Khualsim]], Khuangli, Sim, Tlaisun, [[Zanniat language|Zanniat]]
***[[Mizo language|Mizo]]
****[[Mizo language|Mizo]]: Fanai, Hualngo, Lushai, Khiangte
****[[Hmar language|Hmar]]: Khosak, Thiek, Lawitlang, Khawbung, Darngawn, Lungtau, Leiri
**[[Maraic languages|Maraic]]: *kr- > *ts-; *-ʔ, *-r, *-l > -Ø; *-p, *-t, *-k > *-ʔ; *θ- > *s-
***[[Mara language|Mara]]
****Tlosai
*****Saikao
*****Siaha
****Hlaipao
*****Heima
*****Lialai
*****Vahapi/Zyhno
****HawThai
*****Sizo
******Ngaphepi
******Sabyu
******Chapi
*****Lyvaw
******Lochei
******Tisih
******Phybyu
***[[Lautu language|Lautu]]
****Hnaro
****Chawngthia
***[[Zyphe language|Zophei]]
****Vytu
****Sate/Awsa
***[[Senthang language|Senthang]]
****Khuapi
****Surkhua
***[[Zotung language|Zotung]] *h- > *f-; *kr- > *r-; *khl- > *kh-, *l-; *c(h)- > *t(h)-/*s-; *y- > *z-/*z(h)-; *w- > *v-
****Calthawng
****Innmai
****Lungngo/Tinpa
**Peripheral: *r- > *g-
***[[Northeastern Kuki-Chin languages|Northern]]: *θ- > *ts-; *kl- > *tl-; *-r > *-k
****[[Thado language|Thado]]/[[Kuki language|Kuki]], [[Tedim language|Tedim]], [[Khongjai|Khuangsai]], [[Paite language|Paite]] Vuite, [[Chiru language|Chiru]]
****[[Siyin language|Sizang]], [[Guite people|Guite]], [[Vaiphei language|Vaiphei]], [[Ralte language|Ralte]],
***[[Southern Kuki-Chin languages|Southern]] (Southern Plains): *-r > *-y
****[[Khumi language|Khumi]]: Khomi, Wakung
****[[Shö language|Cho-Asho]]
*****Asho
*****Cho: [[Matu language|Matu]]; Chinpon; [[Daai language|Daai]], Nghmoye, Ngmuun, Mkaang
{{tree list/end}}

===Peterson (2017)===
David A. Peterson's internal classification of the Kuki-Chin languages is as follows.{{sfn |Peterson |2017 |p=206}}

{{tree list}}
*'''Kuki-Chin'''
**[[Northwestern Kuki-Chin languages|Northwestern]] ("Old Kuki"): ''[[Purum language|Purum]], Koireng, [[Monsang language|Monsang]]'', etc.
**Central
***[[Central Kuki-Chin languages|Core Central]]
***[[Maraic languages|Maraic]]
**Peripheral
***[[Northeastern Kuki-Chin languages|Northeastern]] ("Northern")
***[[Khomic languages|Khomic]]: ''Khami/[[Khumi language|Khumi]], [[Mro language|Mro]]-Khimi, Lemi, [[Rengmitca language|Rengmitca]]'', etc.
***[[Southern Kuki-Chin languages|Southern]]
****''Cho''
****''Daai''
****''Hyow''/''[[Shö language|Asho]]''
{{tree list/end}}

Peterson's ''Northeastern'' branch corresponds to VanBik's ''Northern'' branch, while Peterson's ''Northwestern'' corresponds to the ''Old Kuki'' branch of earlier classifications.

==See also==
*[[Lai languages]]
*[[Pau Cin Hau script]]
*[[wikt:Appendix:Kuki-Chin Swadesh lists|Kuki-Chin Swadesh lists]] (Wiktionary)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last=van Driem |first=George |title=Languages of the Himalayas: An Ethnolinguistic Handbook of the Greater Himalayan Region |publisher=Brill |year=2001 |isbn=978-90-04-12062-4}}
* {{cite book |last=Peterson |first=David A. |title=Sociohistorical linguistics in Southeast Asia: New horizons for Tibeto-Burman studies in honor of David Bradley |publisher=Brill |year=2017 |isbn=978-90-04-34983-4 |editor-last=Ding |editor-first=Picus Sizhi |location=Leiden |pages=189-209 |chapter=On Kuki-Chin subgrouping |doi=10.1163/9789004350519_012 |editor-last2=Pelkey |editor-first2=Jamin}}
* {{cite book |last1=VanBik |first1=Kenneth |url=https://stedt.berkeley.edu/pubs_and_prods/STEDT_Monograph8_Proto-Kuki-Chin.pdf |title=Proto-Kuki-Chin: a reconstructed ancestor of the Kuki-Chin languages |date=20 October 2009 |publisher=University of California |isbn=0-944613-47-0 |location=Berkeley |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130702145747/http://stedt.berkeley.edu/pubs_and_prods/STEDT_Monograph8_Proto-Kuki-Chin.pdf |archive-date=2 July 2013 |url-status=live}}
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |last=Button |first=Christopher |url=http://stedt.berkeley.edu/pubs_and_prods/STEDT_Monograph10_Proto-Northern-Chin.pdf |title=Proto Northern Chin |year=2011 |isbn=0-944613-49-7 |series=STEDT Monograph |volume=10 |oclc=1013268663}}
* {{cite journal |year=2014 |title=Proto-Kuki-Chin initials according to Toru Ohno and Kenneth VanBik |url=http://eprints.soas.ac.uk/18355/ |journal=Journal of the Southeast Asian Linguistics Society |volume=7 |pages=11–30 |surname=Hill |given=Nathan W.}}
* {{cite thesis |surname=Lam Thang |given=Khoi |title=A Phonological Reconstruction of Proto Chin |type=MA thesis |publisher=Payap University |url=http://inter.payap.ac.th/wp-content/uploads/linguistics_PDF/Khois-Proto-Reconstruction-of-Chin-revised.pdf |year=2001 |location=Chiang Mai}}
* {{cite web |last=Mann |first=Noel |last2=Smith |first2=Wendy |year=2008 |title=Chin bibliography |url=http://li.payap.ac.th/images/stories/survey/Chin%20Bibliography.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423220249/http://li.payap.ac.th/images/stories/survey/Chin%20Bibliography.pdf |archive-date=23 April 2019 |publisher=Payap University |location=Chiang Mai}}
* {{cite book |last=Dal Sian Pau |first=S. |title=The comparative study of Proto-Zomi (Kuki-Chin) languages |publisher=Zomi Language & Literature Society |year=2014 |location=Lamka, Manipur, India}}{{snd}}Comparative word list of [[Paite language|Paite]], [[Simte language|Simte]], [[Thangkhal language|Thangkhal]], [[Zou language|Zou]], [[Kom language (India)|Kom]], [[Paite language|Paite]] or [[Tedim language|Tedim]], and [[Vaiphei language|Vaiphei]]
* {{cite web |last=Smith |first=Wendy |last2=Mann |first2=Noel |year=2009 |title=Chin bibliography with selected annotations |url=http://li.payap.ac.th/images/stories/survey/Chin%20Bibliography%20with%20Selected%20Annotations.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030042946/https://li.payap.ac.th/images/stories/survey/Chin%20Bibliography%20with%20Selected%20Annotations.pdf |archive-date=30 October 2019 |publisher=Payap University |location=Chiang Mai}}

==External links==
* [http://hmartlangsam.blogspot.com/ Tlângsam: Latest News in Hmar language – Mizoram, Manipur, Assam, NE India]
* [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFJadjKGLrZCkr7m1Dl37exwsauW9OODP Recent Advances in Kuki-Chin Linguistics]

{{Sino-Tibetan languages}}
{{Kuki-Chin–Naga languages}}
{{Languages of Myanmar}}
{{Languages of Northeast India}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Kuki-Chin languages| ]]
[[Category:Languages of India]]
[[Category:Languages of Bangladesh]]

Kuki-Chin languages - Revision history

StaciWinslow at 03:43, 26 January 2026