Nishi language


Nyishi is a Sino-Tibetan language of the Tani branch spoken in Papum Pare, Lower Subansiri, Kurung Kumey, Kra Daadi, East Kameng, Pakke Kesang, Kamle districts of Arunachal Pradesh and Darrang District of Assam in India. According to 2011 census of India, the population of the Nishi speakers is 300,000 approximately. Though there are plenty of variations across regions, the dialects of Nishi, such as Akang, Aya,nyishi, Mishing, Tagin are easily mutually intelligible. With the exception of the rather small in population Bangni-Bangru and Solung Dialects being very different from the formers. 'Nisi' is sometimes used as a cover term for western Tani languages.
Nishi is a subject–object–verb language.

Origin

The main origin of this language has been pointed out by George Abraham Grierson as ‘Dafla’. He included different varieties under a common name which is known as North Assam group. The varieties are Dafla, Miri and Abor according to him. Daflas used to denote them as ‘Nyi-Shi’. these tribes inhabited between the Assam Valley and Tibet. Then they started to spread in Lakhimpur, Sibsagar and Darrang Districts of Assam. Mr. William Robinson in his notes mentioned that Daflas were spread over a region from 92°50’ to 94° north latitude.
The word nyishi itself means "upland man", and is a compound of nyi and shi..
They are probably descendants of peoples who separated from Khasi 4,200 years ago.
Note: Calling Dafla now is a Criminal Offence by the Constitution of India.

Phonology

Nishi is a tonal language that utilizes three tones: rising, neutral, and falling. These can be applied to all of its vowels, and often can change the word's meaning:
FrontCentralBack
Highiɨu
Mideəo
Lowa

This is the consonants of Nyishi. Where the orthography differs from the IPA, the orthography is bolded.

Grammar

Nyishi distinguishes between number, person, and case. It does not have a gender system, but special affixes can be added to nouns to denote gender.

Pronouns

PersonSingularDualPlural
1stŋuiɲŋul
2ndnonuiɲnul
3rdmɨbuiɲbul

Vocabulary

Numerals

Counting system differs in case of human vs. non-human objects.