Khumi language


Khumi, or Khumi Chin, is a Kuki-Chin-Mizo language of Burma, with some speakers across the border in Bangladesh. Khumi shares 75%–87% lexical similarity with Eastern Khumi, and 78-81% similarity with Mro-Khimi. A written script for Khumi was created between 1930–1949 by E.W. Francis.

Geographical distribution

Khumi proper is spoken in the following townships of Myanmar.
Eastern Khumi is spoken in the following townships of Myanmar. The Eastern Khumi dialects have a high degree of mutual intelligibility, with all dialects sharing at least 74% lexical similarity, although there are strong attitudes against sharing the same literature. In terms of lexical similarity, Nisay, Nideun, and Khongtu dialects share 92%–97% while the Khenlak and Asang dialects also share 92%–97%. The Likhy variety of Eastern Khumi shares 86%–90% lexical similarity with Mro-Khimi Chin.
  • Matupi township, Chin State
  • Sami subtownship, Paletwa township, Chin State

    Dialects

Ethnologue lists the following dialects.
  • Khumi
  • *Pi Chaung
  • *Kaladan
  • *Eastern Kaladan
  • *Southern Paletwa
  • Eastern Khumi
  • *Nisay
  • *Nideun
  • *Lemi
  • *Khongtu
  • *Likhy
  • *Rengcaa
  • *Khenlak
  • *Asang
The Kasang consider themselves as ethnic Hkongso, but their language is intelligible with Khumi rather than Anu or Hkongso. Kasang villages include Lamoitong and Tuirong.