Harman Patil (Editor)

Kom language (India)

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Region
  
India

Native speakers
  
15,000 (2001 census)

ISO 639-3
  
kmm

Ethnicity
  
Kom

Dialects
  
Kom Kolhreng

Language family
  
Sino-Tibetan Kukish Northern Kom

Kom is a Kukish language of India. Kohlreng is usually considered a dialect of Kom, but may be a distinct language. Speakers of Kom live in the hilly provinces of Northeastern India. The dialect of Manipur has at least partial mutual intelligibility with the other Kukish dialects of the area, including Thadou, Hmar, Vaiphei, Simte, Paite, and Gangte languages. Aimol, Koireng and Chiru speakers also understand Kom.

Contents

Geographical distribution

Speakers of Kom are found in the northeastern Indian states of Manipur, Nagaland, Assam, and Tripura. The majority of the population lives in eastern and central Manipur, concentrated in 22 villages located in Churachandpur district, Tamenglong district, Senapati district, and Bishenpur district (Ethnologue). In Devi (2011:81), these 22 villages are listed as Sinam Kom, Theiyong Kom, Laikot Kom, Ichum Kom, Kom Keirap, Khoirentak, Sagang, Luikhumbi, Lallumbung, Mantak, Tuiringkhaison, Samulamlan, Chinglanmei, Bungsalane, Lananphai, Ngairong, Mungrushi, Sambangyan, Tonsen tampak, and Khulen.

Devi (2011:80) lists some important Kom villages and localities as:

  • Makokching, Saikul, and Sinam-Kom of Senapati District
  • K.R. Lane of Imphal
  • Kharam, Ichum of Imphal West District
  • Theiong of Imphal East District
  • Sengpanjar, Kangathai, Khoirentak, and Kom-keirap of Bishnupur District
  • Greater Sagang of Churachandpur District
  • Tonsen and Mahou-tera of Chandel District
  • Mantak of Thoubal District
  • Phonology

    Kom is a tonal language with three tones.

    References

    Kom language (India) Wikipedia