Tanchangya language


The Tanchangya language is one of the eleven indigenous languages spoken in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Mizoram, Tripura, and Rakhine State. Despite the common belief that it is a Tibeto-Burman language, it is categorized as a Indo-Aryan language. It is closely related to Chakma and Chittagonian. It is primarily spoken by the Tanchangyas people.

Vocabulary

Tanchangya has many words from Indo-Aryan languages. It also maintains some Burmanised words, particularly in Buddhist terminologies.

Ancient Tanchangya

The original words of Tanchangya are believed to be from ancient Tanchangya.
TanchangyaEnglish
Awga Uneducated, uncivilised
Awnsur Regularly, always
Awnawpinaw ; Awnaw-sawnaw Insane, foolish
Awrawk Nest
Hawla Fry, thick shrub bushes
Awsangya ; Besangya An unmarriageable relation
A-uk/Aruk Picture; Sketch

Tibeto-Burman

Although it does not belong to the Tibeto-Burman language family, many Buddhist terms can be found in Tanchangya.

Foreign words

In Tanchangya, words derived from Arabic, Portuguese, and English can be found.
TanchangyaArabic/PortugueseEnglish
Awktaw Owakta Time
Gawrba GorbaGuest
Gamala/Gabala Gamela Bucket
Balti Balde Bucket

Chakma

Outside of the Tanchangya tribe, there is a common belief that there is no difference between Tanchangya and the Chakma language.
TanchangyaChakmaEnglish
BitsyawlBijolSmooth
Pawd, JangalPawtRoad
Awna sawnaAwnaw sawnawHalf-brain
Diri, BilawngDigholLong time