Sümi language


Sümi, also Sema, is a Sino-Tibetan language spoken in Nagaland, India. It is spoken by the Sümi Naga people. It differs from every other Naga languages due to the presence of guttural sounds.

Geographical distribution

Sümi is spoken in central and southern Nagaland, mainly in Zünheboto District. There are also good number of speakers in parts of Niuland, Dimapur, Chümoukedima and Kiphire District, as well as in 7 villages of Tinsukia District, Assam.

Dialects

Ethnologue lists the following dialects of Sümi.
  • Dayang
  • Lazami
  • Jimomi
  • Zumomi

    Phonology

The transcriptions in this section use the International Phonetic Alphabet.

Vowels

The vowels of Sümi are as follows:
FrontCentralBack
Close
Mid
Open

Notes:
  • The close front and the close central vowels have been variously described as near-close and close. The close back vowel has only been described as close.
  • * In the word-medial position, can be realized as mid.
  • The mid vowels can be realized as either close-mid or open-mid.
  • * describes the close-mid allophone of as slightly advanced.
  • has been variously described as near-open and open.
  • * After uvular stops, can be realized as open back unrounded.

    Consonants

The consonants of Sümi are as follows:

Allophones

  1. /ʃ~s, ʒ~z/ are realized before /i, e/