Paite language

Paite is a Sino-Tibetan language belonging to the northern sub-branch of Kuki-Chin branch. It is spoken by the Paite people in India and Tedim Chins in Myanmar. There are different Paite dialects; some notable Paite dialects are Bukpi, Lousau, Valpau, Dapzal, Tuichiap, Sukte, Dim, Lamzang and Sihzang. The language exhibits mutual intelligibility with the other languages of the region including Thadou, Hmar, Vaiphei, Simte, Kom, Gangte and other languages.^[3]

Paite
Paite
Native to	India, Myanmar
Region	Manipur, Mizoram, Assam, Chin State
Ethnicity	Paite/ Paite te
Native speakers	100,000 (80,000 in India)[1][2]
Language family	Sino-Tibetan Tibeto-Burman Central Tibeto-Burman (?) Kuki-Chin–Naga Kuki-Chin Northeastern Paite
Writing system	Latin
Language codes
ISO 639-3	pck
Glottolog	pait1244
ELP	Paite Chin

Etymology

The term Paithe originated in the Lushai Hills region. The Lushais used terms Pai or Poi to refer to central and southern Chin tribes, who tie their hair up. Paithe is said to be the plural of Pai.^[4] The Paite themselves did not accept the term originally, but in 1948, the Paite National Council was formed to obtain the recognition of Paites as a Scheduled Tribe in India. Thus the term came to be accepted.^[5]

Paite has also the meaning of "people on the move".^[4]

Language

This language has simple but long words. One word could mean many more things, if the pronunciation is different. Here are 2 few words :-

Thak - New, Spicy Sikha - Servant, Ghost

Sample text

The following is a sample text in Paite of Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

Paite pau	English
Mi tengteng zalen a piang ihi ua, zah-omna leh dikna tanvou ah kibangvek ihi. Sia leh pha theihna pilna nei a siam I hih ziak un I mihinpihte tungah unauna lungsim feltak I put ngai ahi.	All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience. Therefore, they should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.[6]

There are two major dialects of Paite spoken in Manipur: Lamjang and Dapjal; and 4 minor dialects which are Songtal, Bukpi, Lousau & Kangkap. ^[7]

Geographical distribution

Paite is spoken mainly in the following locations (Ethnologue).^[8]

• Manipur: Churachandpur district, Pherzawl district, Jiribam district, Chandel district, Tengnoupal district
• Mizoram: Aizawl district, Champhai district, Saitual district, Khawzawl district.
• Assam: Diphu and villages like Khawnuam, Zawlnuam, Suangsang in Karbi Anglong.
• Chin State, Myanmar (In Myanmar, the language is also known as Tedim Chin, which in turn is also related to the Tedim Township)

Education and Academic

Paite language can now be taken up as one of the MIL subjects offered in the Three-Year Degree course in Manipur University. The Academic Council of the university in its meeting held on April 22, 2004 gave its approval for the inclusion of Paite as one of the MIL subjects after considering recommendation by the Board of Studies of the School of Humanities, and also in recognition of the richness of the language and its literature including creative writing.^{[9][better source needed][verification needed]}