Phom is a Sino-Tibetan language spoken by the Phom Nagas of Nagaland, Northeast India. Its speakers are primarily found in Longleng District and in few parts of bordering districts. The Phom language is written in Latin script and consists of 27 letters.

Phom
Native toIndia
RegionNagaland
Native speakers
54,416 (2011 estimation)[1]
Sino-Tibetan
  • Konyak–Phom
Language codes
ISO 639-3nph
Glottologphom1236
ELPPhom Naga




Alternate names for Phom language includes Phom, Phom shah. "Shah" is the Phom word for language. A Morung is called Pang in Phom language and log drums are referred as Shem.

Phonology

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All phonological charts are from Burling (1998).

Consonants
Bilabial Alveolar Postalveolar Palatal Velar Glottal
Stop aspirated
unaspirated b d t͡ʃ g
Fricative voiceless ʃ h
voiced ʐ
Nasal m n ɲ ŋ
Approximant w l j

Vocabulary

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A large part of the vocabulary of Phom is inherited from proto-Sino-Tibetan.

Meaning Old Chinese Written Tibetan Written Burmese Phom
"I" *ŋa nga ŋa ngei
"you" *njaʔ naŋ nüng
"not" *mja ma ma'
"two" *njijs gnyis hnac < *hnit nyi
"three" *sum gsum sûm jem
"five" *ŋaʔ lnga ŋâ nga
"six" *C-rjuk drug khrok < *khruk vok
"sun", "day" *njit nyi-ma ne < *niy nyih
"name" *mjeŋ ming ə-mañ < *ə-miŋ men
"eye" *mjuk mig myak mük
"fish" *ŋja nya ŋâ nyah
"dog" *kʷʰenʔ khyi khwe < *khuy shi


References

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  1. ^ "Statement 1: Abstract of speakers' strength of languages and mother tongues - 2011". www.censusindia.gov.in. Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
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