Pronunciation [kɯ˧˩mɑn˧˥] Native speakers 18,000 (2006) | Ethnicity Miju Mishmi ISO 639-3 mxj | |
Region Arunachal Pradesh, India Language family possibly Sino-Tibetan (Midzuish), or a language isolate
Kaman | ||
Kaman (Geman, Geman Deng), or Miju (Miju Mishmi, Midzu), is a small language of India and slightly into China. Long assumed to be a Sino-Tibetan language, it may be a language isolate.
Contents
Locations
In China, the Miju are known as the Deng 僜人. The Deng number over 1,000 in Zayü County, Tibet, China, with 1,000 of the Deng having the autonym tɑ31 ruɑŋ53 (大让), and 130 having the autonym kɯ31 mɑn35 (格曼) (Geman). They are also neighbors with the Idu or i53 du31 (义都) people.
In India, Miju is spoken in Hawai Circle and the Parsuram Kund area of Lohit District, Arunachal Pradesh (Boro 1978, Dasgupta 1977). Ethnologue reports that Miju is spoken in 25 villages located in high altitude areas to the east of upper Lohit and Dau valleys, which are located east of the Haguliang, Billong, and Tilai valleys.
Phonology
These are the sounds in the Miju/Kaman language.
Tones
There are three main tones in the Miju language, rising (á), falling (à), and level (ā).