Tibeto-Kanauri languages
Encyclopedia
The Tibeto-Kanauri languages, also called Bodish–Himalayish and Western Tibeto-Burman, are a proposed intermediate level of classification of the Tibeto-Burman languages
, centered on the Tibetan
and Kanauri languages. The conception of the relationship, or if it is even a valid group, varies between researchers.
, Magaric
, and Lepcha
. Within Benedict's conception, Tibeto-Kanauri is one of seven linguistic nuclei, or centers of gravity along a spectrum, within Tibeto-Burman languages
. The center-most nucleus identified by Benedict is Kachin (including perhaps Luish and Taman
); other peripheral nuclei besides Tibeto-Kanauri include Kiranti (Bahing–Vayu and perhaps Newari); Mirish
(Abor–Miri–Dafla); Barish (Bodo–Garo and perhaps Konyak
); Kukish (Kuki–Naga plus perhaps Mikir
, Meithei, and Mru
); and Burmish
(Burmese–Lolo, perhaps also Nung
and Trung).
Matisoff (1978, 2003) largely follows Benedict's scheme, stressing the teleological value of identifying related characteristics over mapping detailed family trees in the study of Tibeto-Burman
and Sino-Tibetan languages
. Matisoff includes Bodish and West Himalayish with the Lepcha language
as a third branch. He unites these at a higher level with Mahakiranti as Himalayish
.
Van Driem (2001) notes that the Bodish
, West Himalayish
, and Tamangic
languages (but not Benedict's other families) appear to have a common origin.
Bradley (1997) takes much the same approach but words things differently: he incorporates West Himalayish and Tamangic as branches within his "Bodish", which thus becomes close to Tibeto-Kanauri. This and his Himalayan family constitute his Bodic family.
Tibeto-Burman languages
The Tibeto-Burman languages are the non-Chinese members of the Sino-Tibetan language family, over 400 of which are spoken thoughout the highlands of southeast Asia, as well as lowland areas in Burma ....
, centered on the Tibetan
Tibetan language
The Tibetan languages are a cluster of mutually-unintelligible Tibeto-Burman languages spoken primarily by Tibetan peoples who live across a wide area of eastern Central Asia bordering the Indian subcontinent, including the Tibetan Plateau and the northern Indian subcontinent in Baltistan, Ladakh,...
and Kanauri languages. The conception of the relationship, or if it is even a valid group, varies between researchers.
Conceptions of Tibeto-Kanauri
Benedict (1972) originally posited the Tibeto-Kanauri Bodish–Himalayish relationship, but had a more expansive conception of Himalayish than generally found today, including QiangicQiangic languages
Qiangic or Kiangic, formerly known as Dzorgai, is a language group of the northeastern Tibeto-Burman branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family, spoken mainly in Southwestern China, including Sichuan, Tibet, and Yunnan....
, Magaric
Magaric languages
The Magaric languages, Magar and Kham, are a small proposed family of Tibeto-Burman languages spoken in Nepal. They are often classified as part of the Mahakiranti family, and Van Driem proposes that they are close relatives of Mahakiranti.Several neighboring languages with uncertain affiliation...
, and Lepcha
Lepcha language
Lepcha language, or Róng language , is a Himalayish language spoken by the Lepcha people in Sikkim and parts of West Bengal, Nepal and Bhutan.-Population:...
. Within Benedict's conception, Tibeto-Kanauri is one of seven linguistic nuclei, or centers of gravity along a spectrum, within Tibeto-Burman languages
Tibeto-Burman languages
The Tibeto-Burman languages are the non-Chinese members of the Sino-Tibetan language family, over 400 of which are spoken thoughout the highlands of southeast Asia, as well as lowland areas in Burma ....
. The center-most nucleus identified by Benedict is Kachin (including perhaps Luish and Taman
Tamangic languages
The Tamangic languages or TGTM languages are a family of Tibeto-Burman languages spoken in the Himalayas of Nepal.The languages ar:*Tamang *Gurung...
); other peripheral nuclei besides Tibeto-Kanauri include Kiranti (Bahing–Vayu and perhaps Newari); Mirish
Tani languages
Tani, Miric, Adi–Galo–Mishing–Nishi , or Abor–Miri–Dafla is a compact family of Tibeto-Burman languages situated at the eastern end of the Himalayas, in an area skirted on four sides by Tibet, Assam, Bhutan, and Burma....
(Abor–Miri–Dafla); Barish (Bodo–Garo and perhaps Konyak
Konyak languages
The Konyak languages, or Northern Naga, are a small family of half a dozen Tibeto-Burman languages spoken by the Naga people in eastern India. They are not particularly closely related to other Naga languages...
); Kukish (Kuki–Naga plus perhaps Mikir
Karbi language
The Karbí language, also known as Mikir or Arleng, is spoken by the Karbi people of Assam. It belongs to the Tibeto-Burman language family, but its position is unclear...
, Meithei, and Mru
Mru language
The Mru language is a part of Tibeto-Burman languages and one of the recognized languages of Bangladesh.It is spoken by a community of Mros inhabiting the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh and also in Burma with a population of 21,963 in Bangladesh according to the 1991 census. The Mros are the...
); and Burmish
Burmish languages
The Burmish languages are Burmese, including Standard Burmese and the Burmese dialects, and non-literary languages spoken across Burma and southern China such as Achang, Măru, Lăshi, Taungyo, and Atsi.-Languages:...
(Burmese–Lolo, perhaps also Nung
Nung language
Nung, or Anung , is a Tibeto-Burman language used by the Nung people. It is very close to the Derung language. Most of the Nung people in China have shifted to Lisu.- Consonant :The Anung have 43 single consonants.- External links :*...
and Trung).
Matisoff (1978, 2003) largely follows Benedict's scheme, stressing the teleological value of identifying related characteristics over mapping detailed family trees in the study of Tibeto-Burman
Tibeto-Burman languages
The Tibeto-Burman languages are the non-Chinese members of the Sino-Tibetan language family, over 400 of which are spoken thoughout the highlands of southeast Asia, as well as lowland areas in Burma ....
and Sino-Tibetan languages
Sino-Tibetan languages
The Sino-Tibetan languages are a language family comprising, at least, the Chinese and the Tibeto-Burman languages, including some 250 languages of East Asia, Southeast Asia and parts of South Asia. They are second only to the Indo-European languages in terms of the number of native speakers...
. Matisoff includes Bodish and West Himalayish with the Lepcha language
Lepcha language
Lepcha language, or Róng language , is a Himalayish language spoken by the Lepcha people in Sikkim and parts of West Bengal, Nepal and Bhutan.-Population:...
as a third branch. He unites these at a higher level with Mahakiranti as Himalayish
Himalayish languages
Himalayish is a geographic clustering of languages of the Tibeto-Burman family in the classification of James Matisoff that is used by Ethnologue. It is not a proposal for an actual genealogical relationship, but rather a convenient label until the necessary comparative work can be done.Major...
.
Van Driem (2001) notes that the Bodish
Bodish languages
The Bodish languages, named for the Tibetan ethnonym bod, are the Tibetan languages in a broad linguistic sense, regardless of whether the speakers are considered ethnically Tibetan. Different scholars divide Bodish differently, but the alternate term 'Tibetan' generally excludes East Bodish...
, West Himalayish
West Himalayish languages
The West Himalayish languages, also known as Almora and Kanauric, are a family of Tibeto-Burman languages centered on Kanauri, in Himachal Pradesh and across the border into Nepal.The languages include:...
, and Tamangic
Tamangic languages
The Tamangic languages or TGTM languages are a family of Tibeto-Burman languages spoken in the Himalayas of Nepal.The languages ar:*Tamang *Gurung...
languages (but not Benedict's other families) appear to have a common origin.
Bradley (1997) takes much the same approach but words things differently: he incorporates West Himalayish and Tamangic as branches within his "Bodish", which thus becomes close to Tibeto-Kanauri. This and his Himalayan family constitute his Bodic family.