The
Karbi languages may be closely related to Kuki-Chin, but Thurgood (2003) and van Driem (2011) leave Karbi unclassified within Sino-Tibetan. The Kuki-Chin branches listed below are from VanBik (2009), with the
Northwestern branch added from
Scott DeLancey, et al. (2015), and the
Khomic branch (which has been split off from the
Southern branch) from Peterson (2017). •
Kuki-Chin •
Central:
Mizo (Duhlian),
Bawm (Sunthla and Panghawi),
Falam (Hallam,
Ranglong,
Darlong, Hauhulh, Simpi, Hualngo,
Chorei),
Thor (Tawr),
Hmar,
Hrangkhol,
Biate (Biete),
Hakha (Lai/Pawi, Mi-E, Zokhua),
Pangkhua,
Saihriem,
Laizo/
Tlaisun,
Khualsim,
Zanniat,
Zahau,
Sim •
Maraic:
Mara (Tlosai {Siaha and Saikao}, Hawthai {Lyvaw, Sizo, and Lochei}, Hlaipao {Zyhno, Heima, and Lialai}),
Zophei,
Senthang,
Zotung (Lungngo, Calthawn, Innmai),
Lautu •
Northeastern (
Northern): Suantak-Vaiphei,
Zo (Zou),
Paite,
Tedim,
Thado (Kuki),
Gangte,
Simte,
Vaiphei,
Sizang,
Ralte,
Ngawn •
Southern:
Shö (Asho/Khyang, Chinbon),
Thaiphum,
Daai (Nitu),
Mün,
Yindu,
Matu,
Welaung (Rawngtu),
Kaang,
Laitu,
Rungtu,
Songlai,
Sumtu •
Khomic:
Khumi (Khumi proper and Khumi Awa),
Mro,
Rengmitca, etc. •
Northwestern ("Old Kuki"):
Monsang,
Moyon,
Lamkang,
Aimol,
Anal,
Tarao,
Koireng (Kolhreng),
Chiru,
Kom,
Chothe,
Purum,
Kharam,
Darlong and
Ranglong are unclassified Kuki-Chin language. The recently discovered
Sorbung language may be mixed language that could classify as either a Kuki-Chin or
Tangkhul language.
Anu-Hkongso speakers self-identify as ethnic
Chin people, although their language is closely related to
Mru rather than to Kuki-Chin languages. The
Mruic languages constitute a separate Tibeto-Burman branch, and are not part of Kuki-Chin.
VanBik (2009) Kenneth VanBik classified the Kuki-Chin languages based on shared
sound changes (phonological innovations) from Proto-Kuki-Chin as follows. •
Kuki-Chin •
Central: *k(ʰ)r-, *p(ʰ)r- > *t(ʰ)r-; *k(ʰ)l-, *p(ʰ)l- > *t(ʰ)l-; *y- > *z- •
Pangkhua? •
Lamtuk Thet: Lamtuk, Ruavan •
Lai •
Hakha:
Hakha,
Thantlang, Zokhua •
Falam:
Bawm, Bualkhaw,
Laizo, Lente,
Khualsim, Khuangli, Sim, Tlaisun,
Zanniat •
Mizo •
Mizo: Fanai, Hualngo, Lushai, Khiangte •
Hmar: Khosak, Thiek, Lawitlang, Khawbung, Darngawn, Lungtau, Leiri •
Maraic: *kr- > *ts-; *-ʔ, *-r, *-l > -Ø; *-p, *-t, *-k > *-ʔ; *θ- > *s- •
Mara • Tlosai • Saikao • Siaha • Hlaipao • Heima • Lialai • Vahapi/Zyhno • HawThai • Sizo • Ngaphepi • Sabyu • Chapi • Lyvaw • Lochei • Tisih • Phybyu •
Lautu • Hnaro • Chawngthia •
Zophei • Vytu • Sate/Awsa •
Senthang • Khuapi • Surkhua •
Zotung *h- > *f-; *kr- > *r-; *khl- > *kh-, *l-; *c(h)- > *t(h)-/*s-; *y- > *z-/*z(h)-; *w- > *v- • Calthawng • Innmai • Lungngo/Tinpa • Peripheral: *r- > *g- •
Northern: *θ- > *ts-; *kl- > *tl-; *-r > *-k •
Thado/
Kuki,
Tedim,
Khuangsai,
Paite Vuite,
Chiru •
Sizang,
Guite,
Vaiphei,
Ralte, •
Southern (Southern Plains): *-r > *-y •
Khumi: Khomi, Wakung •
Cho-Asho • Asho • Cho:
Matu; Chinpon;
Daai, Nghmoye, Ngmuun, Mkaang
Peterson (2017) David A. Peterson's internal classification of the Kuki-Chin languages is as follows. •
Kuki-Chin •
Northwestern ("Old Kuki"):
Purum, Koireng, Monsang, etc. • Central •
Core Central •
Maraic • Peripheral •
Northeastern ("Northern") •
Khomic:
Khami/Khumi, Mro-Khimi, Lemi, Rengmitca, etc. •
Southern •
Cho •
Daai •
Hyow/
Asho Peterson's
Northeastern branch corresponds to VanBik's
Northern branch, while Peterson's
Northwestern corresponds to the
Old Kuki branch of earlier classifications. ==See also==