View source for Meitei language in Assam

{{Short description|Meitei language in Assam}}
{{Contains special characters|Meitei}}
{{Infobox language
| name             = Meitei language in Assam <br /> ({{small|{{lang-mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯑꯁꯥꯝꯗ ꯃꯩꯇꯩꯂꯣꯟ}}/{{Script|Beng|অসামদা মৈতৈলোন}}|}}}})
| altname          = Manipuri language in Assam <br /> ({{small|{{lang-mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯑꯁꯥꯝꯗ ꯃꯅꯤꯄꯨꯔꯤ ꯂꯣꯟ}}/{{Script|Beng|অসামদা মণিপুরী লোন}}|}}}})
| nativename       = Meiteilon/Manipuri lon
| acceptance       = 
| image            = Meitei language.svg
| imagescale       =
| imagealt         =
| imagecaption     = [[Meitei language]] written in [[Meitei script]] and [[Bengali script]]
| pronunciation    = 
| states           = 
* [[Cachar district]]
* [[Dima Hasao district]]{{efn|though not declared official language status of this district}}
* [[Hailakandi district]]
* [[Hojai district]]
* [[Karimganj district]]
| region           = [[Barak Valley]] and [[Brahmaputra River|Brahmaputra Valley]] {{small|([[Dima Hasao district]] and [[Hojai district]])}}
| creator          =
| created          =
| setting          =
| ethnicity        = [[Meitei people]]
| era              =
| speakers         = 300,000 (2024 estimate<ref>{{Cite web|date=2024-02-24|title=Assam recognises Manipuri as associate official language in four districts|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/assam-recognises-manipuri-as-associate-official-language-in-four-districts-101708770769105.html|access-date=2024-05-17|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>)
| date             =
| dateprefix       =
| ref              = <!-- up to e26 (or current edition) if reference is Ethnologue -->
| refname          =
| speakers2        =
| revived          =
| revived-category = <!-- or revived-cat -->
| familycolor      = Sino-Tibetan
| family           = [[Sino-Tibetan languages|Sino-Tibetan family]]
| fam1             =
| fam2             =
| fam3             = <!-- up to fam15 -->
| protoname        = 
| ancestor         =
| ancestor2        = [[proto-Sino-Tibetan language|proto-Sino-Tibetan]]
| ancestor3        = [[proto-Tibeto-Burman language|proto-Tibeto-Burman]]
| ancestor4        = [[:simple:Ancient Meitei language|ancient Meitei]]
| standards        = Standard Meitei (Standard Manipuri)
| stand1           =
| stand2           = <!-- up to stand6 -->
| dialects         =
| listclass        =
| dia1             =
| dia2             = <!-- up to dia20 -->
| script           = 
* [[Meitei script]] 
* [[Bengali script]]
* [[#Meetei Yelhou Mayek|Naoriya Phullo script]] (specific to Assam)
| sign             =
| posteriori       =
| nation           = 
{{IND}}
* [[Assam]]
| minority         = 
| agency           =
| development_body = 
* [[Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Assam]]
* [[Department of Manipuri, Assam University]]
| iso1             =
| iso1comment      =
| iso2             = mni
| iso2b            =
| iso2t            =
| iso2comment      =
| iso3             = mni
| iso3comment      =
| lc1              =
| ld1              =
| lc2              = <!-- up to lc30 -->
| ld2              = <!-- up to ld30 -->
| iso6             =
| isoexception     =
| linglist         =
| lingname         =
| linglist2        = <!-- up to linglist6 -->
| lingname2        = <!-- up to lingname6 -->
| glotto           =
| glottorefname    =
| glotto2          = <!-- up to glotto5 -->
| glottorefname2   = <!-- up to glottorefname5 -->
| aiatsis          =
| aiatsisname      =
| aiatsis2         = <!-- up to aiatsis6 -->
| aiatsisname2     = <!-- up to aiatsisname6 -->
| guthrie          =
| ELP              =
| ELPname          =
| ELP2             = <!-- up to ELP6 -->
| ELPname2         = <!-- up to ELPname6 -->
| glottopedia      =
| lingua           =
| lingua_ref       =
| ietf             =
| map              = Linguistic map of Northeast India English Native.png
| mapscale         =
| mapalt           =
| mapcaption       = Meitei (highlighted in green) is official in four districts of Assam state, besides its neighbors.
| map2             = Meitei language distribution.png
| mapalt2          =
| mapcaption2      = Meitei (highlighted in dark blue) is recognised as an official, educational and indigenous language in Assam, besides in [[Manipur]].
| pushpin_map      =
| pushpin_image    =
| pushpin_map_alt  =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| pushpin_mapsize  =
| pushpin_label    =
| pushpin_label_position  =
| coordinates      = <!-- use {{Coord}} -->
| module           =
| notice           = IPA
}}
The ''[[Meitei language]] ({{lang-mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯃꯩꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ}}/{{Script|Beng|মৈতৈ লোন}}|Meitei Lon}})'', officially and formally known as the ''[[Manipuri language]] ({{lang-mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯃꯅꯤꯄꯨꯔꯤ ꯂꯣꯟ}}/{{Script|Beng|মণিপুরী লোন}}|Manipuri Lon}})'', is one of the [[official language]]s of the state government of [[Assam]]. It serves as the additional official language in all the three districts of the [[Barak Valley]] ([[Cachar district]], [[Hailakandi district]] and [[Karimganj district]]) as well as in the [[Hojai district]] of Assam.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2024-02-24|title=Assam recognises Manipuri as associate official language in four districts|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/assam-recognises-manipuri-as-associate-official-language-in-four-districts-101708770769105.html|access-date=2024-05-17|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=PTI|date=2024-02-24|title=Assam Cabinet gives nod to recognise Manipuri as associate official language in four districts|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/assam-cabinet-gives-nod-to-recognise-manipuri-as-associate-official-language-in-four-districts/article67881260.ece|access-date=2024-05-17|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Today|first=North East|date=2024-02-24|title=Manipuri Language Approved As Associate Official Language For Four Assam Districts|url=https://www.northeasttoday.in/2024/02/24/manipuri-language-approved-as-associate-official-language-for-four-assam-districts/|access-date=2024-05-17|website=Northeast Today|language=en-US}}</ref>

== History ==
Meitei speaking people started living in Assam as a result of migration from [[Manipur]] due to the [[Seven Years Devastation of Manipur|Chahi Taret Khuntakpa]] (literally, [[Seven Years Devastation of Manipur|Seven Years' Devastation]]).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Manipuri speaking diaspora in Assam By Rafe Ahmed|url=https://e-pao.net/epPageExtractor.asp?src=features.Manipuri_speaking_diaspora_in_Assam_By_Rafe_Ahmed.html..|access-date=2024-05-17|website=e-pao.net}}</ref>

== Geographical distribution ==
[[File:Map of Barak Valley.jpg|thumb|Meitei language speakers have a notable presence in the [[Barak Valley]] of Assam.]]
[[File:Hojai in Assam (India).svg|thumb|Meitei language speakers have a notable presence in the [[Hojai|Hojai district]] of the [[Brahmaputra River|Brahmaputra Valley]] of Assam.]]

Meitei language speakers live in all the three districts of the [[Barak Valley]], [[Cachar]], [[Hailakandi]] and [[Karimganj]] districts, as significant minority population.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Mishra|first=Awadesh|date=1999-01-01|title=The Manipuris in the Barak Valley: A Case Study of Language Maintenance&#39;|url=https://www.academia.edu/1059019/The_Manipuris_in_the_Barak_Valley_A_Case_Study_of_Language_Maintenance|journal=Linguistics of the Tibeto-Burman Area}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Manipuri speaking diaspora in Assam By Rafe Ahmed|url=https://e-pao.net/epPageExtractor.asp?src=features.Manipuri_speaking_diaspora_in_Assam_By_Rafe_Ahmed.html..|access-date=2024-05-17|website=e-pao.net}}</ref> According to the [[Ethnologue]], it also has a notable presence in [[Dima Hasao]] district, besides those of the Barak Valley.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Meitei|url=https://www.ethnologue.com/language/mni/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724203234/https://www.ethnologue.com/language/mni/|archive-date=24 July 2019|website=Ethnologue}}</ref> It also has a notable presence in the Hojai district of Assam.<ref>{{Cite web|title=AMUCO interacts with Meiteis and Meitei Pangals in Assam|url=https://www.ifp.co.in/manipur/amuco-interacts-with-meiteis-and-meitei-pangals-in-assam|access-date=2024-05-17|website=Imphal Free Press|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Samom|first=Sobhapati|date=2018-05-22|title=Assam’s Hojai to host Wari-Leeba festival from May 24|url=http://nenow.in/north-east-news/assams-hojai-host-wari-leeba-festival-may-24.html|access-date=2024-05-17|website=NORTHEAST NOW|language=en-US|quote=According to Repertory of Wari Leeba Manipur, the arts form of Wari-Leeba is slowly dying in Meitei inhabited areas of Bangladesh and Tripura while it is picking up in places like Hojai and Cachar in Assam.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Public meeting at Hojai Assam on ST status to Meetei 20211004|url=https://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=news_section.Press_Release.Press_Release_2021.Public_meeting_at_Hojai_Assam_on_ST_status_to_Meetei_20211004|access-date=2024-05-17|website=e-pao.net}}</ref>

== Writing systems ==
=== Meitei Mayek script {{anchor|Meitei Mayek|Meetei Mayek}} ===
In 2024, the State Cabinet of the Government of [[Assam]] approved the [[Meitei script]] to be used in the education of [[Meitei language]] across all the academic institutions of Assam.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2024-03-12|title=Cabinet nod to Meitei script in educational institutions|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/cabinet-nod-to-meitei-script-in-educational-institutions/articleshow/108431069.cms|access-date=2024-05-17|issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Service|first=Statesman News|date=2024-03-11|title=Assam govt's nod for inclusion of Meitei script in schools of state|url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/assam-govts-nod-for-inclusion-of-meitei-script-in-schools-of-state-1503278318.html|access-date=2024-05-17|website=The Statesman|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Tribune|first=The Assam|date=2024-03-11|title=Meitei script to be introduced in educational institutions of Assam|url=https://assamtribune.com/assam/meitei-script-to-be-introduced-in-educational-institutions-of-assam-1524916|access-date=2024-05-17|website=assamtribune.com|language=en}}</ref>
It was done to help the students interested in the [[Meitei literature]] (also known as [[Manipuri literature]]) to know better about the subject.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2024-03-11|title=Assam government mulls to introduce Meitei script in educational institutions of the state|url=http://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/assam-government-mulls-to-introduce-meitei-script-in-educational-institutions-of-the-state-928558-2024-03-11|access-date=2024-05-17|website=India Today NE|language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Desk|first=Sentinel Digital|date=2024-03-11|title=Assam: Government Considers Introducing Meitei Script in Educational Institutions|url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/assam-news/assam-government-considers-introducing-metei-script-in-educational-institutions|access-date=2024-05-17|website=Sentinel Assam|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=NEWS|first=NE NOW|date=2024-03-11|title=Assam government approves introducing Meitei script in educational institutes|url=http://nenow.in/north-east-news/assam/assam-mulls-introducing-meitei-script-educational-institutes.html|access-date=2024-05-17|website=NORTHEAST NOW|language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Meetei Yelhou Mayek script {{anchor|Meetei Yelhou Mayek|Meitei Yelhou Mayek}} ===
{{Main|Naoriya Phulo script}}
A unique form of writing system called "[[Naoriya Phulo script|Meetei Yelhou Mayek]]", distinct from the general [[Meitei script]], was developed by [[Laininghan Naoriya Phulo|Naoriya Phulo]] in [[Cachar]], [[Assam]]. This script was used to write Meitei language in certain cultural contexts.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Meetei Yelhou Mayek / Naoriya Phulo script|url=https://www.omniglot.com/writing/meeteiyelhoumayek.htm|access-date=2024-05-17|website=www.omniglot.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2024-01-19|title=Atlas of Endangered Alphabets: Indigenous and minority writing systems, and the people who are trying to save them.|url=https://www.endangeredalphabets.net/meetei-yelhou-mayek/|access-date=2024-05-17|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Linguistic movements ==
{{See|Meitei language movement}}
[[File:Manipuri language movement in Assam — Meitei language movement in Assam — demanding Meitei language (alias “Manipuri language”) to be made an additional official language of the Government of Assam — ongoing since 2020.jpg|thumb|A depiction of the successful historical [[Meitei associate official language movement|movement demanding Meitei to be made an official language of Assam]]]]

In Assam, many people had organised a [[Meitei associate official language movement|language movement, demanding that Meitei language]] be made one of the official languages of Assam, besides [[Assamese language]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Manipuri language should be one of Assam’s associate official languages: AAMSU|url=https://www.ifp.co.in/9888/manipuri-language-should-be-one-of-assams-associate-official-languages-aamsu|access-date=2024-05-17|website=Imphal Free Press|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Next possible language riots in Assam Manipuris vs Assamese By Yambem Laba|url=https://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=news_section.opinions.Next_possible_language_riots_in_Assam_Manipuris_vs_Assamese_By_Yambem_Laba|access-date=2024-05-17|website=e-pao.net}}</ref> As a part of the movement, in 2023, they walked more than 300 km long march, as a sign of protests demanding their democratic rights.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Laithangbam|first=Iboyaima|date=2023-03-12|title=Manipuri organisation starts long march in Assam for its democratic rights|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/manipuri-organisation-starts-long-march-in-assam-for-its-democratic-rights/article66610355.ece|access-date=2024-05-17|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> In the same year, [[Leishemba Sanajaoba]], the titular king and an Indian member of Parliament of [[Manipur]], wrote a letter to the government of Assam, to look into the matter.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pothashang|date=2020-09-24|title=MP Sanajaoba urges Assam CM to include Manipuri language as associate language of Assam {{!}} Pothashang News|url=https://pothashang.in/2020/09/mp-sanajaoba-urges-assam-cm-to-include-manipuri-language-as-associate-language-of-assam/|access-date=2024-05-17|website=Pothashang|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2024, the government of Assam approved the request, by declaring Meitei as the additional official language of four districts of Assam, namely [[Cachar district]], [[Hailakandi district]], [[Karimganj district]] and [[Hojai district]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2024-02-24|title=Assam recognises Manipuri as associate official language in four districts|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/assam-recognises-manipuri-as-associate-official-language-in-four-districts-101708770769105.html|access-date=2024-05-17|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=PTI|date=2024-02-24|title=Assam Cabinet gives nod to recognise Manipuri as associate official language in four districts|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/assam-cabinet-gives-nod-to-recognise-manipuri-as-associate-official-language-in-four-districts/article67881260.ece|access-date=2024-05-17|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Today|first=North East|date=2024-02-24|title=Manipuri Language Approved As Associate Official Language For Four Assam Districts|url=https://www.northeasttoday.in/2024/02/24/manipuri-language-approved-as-associate-official-language-for-four-assam-districts/|access-date=2024-05-17|website=Northeast Today|language=en-US}}</ref>

Meitei speaking people from Assam also work on the [[Meitei classical language movement|language movement demanding that Meitei be given the officially recognised classical language status]] by the Union Government of India.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Classic language status for Manipuri demanded|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/classic-language-status-for-manipuri-demanded-116082000690_1.html}}</ref>

== Education ==
The [[Board of Secondary Education, Assam]] (SEBA)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Assam HSLC Exam Routine 2023 Revised SEBA To Conduct All Class 10 Language Papers Including English On April 1|url=https://www.india.com/education/assam-hslc-exam-routine-2023-revised-seba-to-conduct-all-class-10-language-paper-including-english-on-april-1-after-assamese-paper-leak-himanta-biswa-sarma-5950004/|access-date=2024-05-17|website=www.india.com|language=en|quote=In addition to Assamese, the other MIL subjects are Bengali, Bodo, Hindi, Manipuri, ...}}</ref> and the [[Assam Higher Secondary Education Council]] (AHSEC) provides Meitei language education in the schools of Assam.<ref>{{Cite web|title=AHSEC COMPLETE SYLLABUS|url=https://ahsec.assam.gov.in/index.php/hs-2nd-year-syllabus/|website=Government of Assam}}</ref>

Assam University of [[Silchar]] has a "[[Department of Manipuri, Assam University|Department of Manipuri]]", providing education upto [[PhD]] degrees.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=amntcsvt76kC&dq=department+of+Manipuri+Assam+University&pg=PA75|title=Development and Problems of Higher Education in Barak Valley and Karbi Anglong Areas of Assam|last=Bazeley|first=Brinda Rymabai|date=2006|publisher=Regency Publications|isbn=978-81-89233-25-9|pages=75|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZKgM7P5iGwgC&dq=department+of+Manipuri+Assam+University&pg=PA61|title=Handbook of Universities|last=Kumar|first=Ashish|date=2006|publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Dist|isbn=978-81-269-0607-9|pages=61|language=en}}</ref> [[Gauhati University]] also provides Meitei language education as an independent subject.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XScmdGvMf7IC&dq=Manipuri+Gauhati&pg=PA80|title=Encyclopaedia of North-East India|last=Bareh|first=Hamlet|date=2000|publisher=Mittal Publications|isbn=978-81-7099-790-0|pages=80|language=en}}</ref>

== Literature ==
Starting from 2020, the [[Government of Assam]] provides a financial support of {{INR Convert|5|l|year=2020}} every year to the [[Manipuri Sahitya Parishad]], a group that works for the development of [[Meitei literature]] (also called [[Manipuri literature]]) in Assam as well as other [[Meitei people|Meitei]] populated states.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Laithangbam|first=Iboyaima|date=2020-09-27|title=Assam to look into demand to include Manipuri in list of associate languages|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/minister-to-look-into-demand-to-include-manipuri-in-the-list-of-associate-languages-of-assam/article32707194.ece|access-date=2024-05-17|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
Moreover, the government also gave {{INR Convert|6|c|year=2020}} for the development of Meitei [[language corpus]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Laithangbam|first=Iboyaima|date=2020-09-27|title=Assam to look into demand to include Manipuri in list of associate languages|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/minister-to-look-into-demand-to-include-manipuri-in-the-list-of-associate-languages-of-assam/article32707194.ece|access-date=2024-05-17|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== Language day ==
[[File:Meitei language day — 20th August — ꯃꯩꯇꯩꯂꯣꯟꯒꯤ ꯅꯨꯃꯤꯠ (Meitei Mayek transliteration of the Classical Meitei language translation “Meiteilon-gi Numit”).jpg|thumb|Meitei language day — 20th August]]

In Assam, [[Manipuri Language Day]], also known as [[Meitei language day]], is celebrated, like it is done in other states every year. The event is celebrated to honour the day on which Meitei was made an official language recognised by the [[Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India]]. The notable groups that celebrate the event are [[Manipuri Sahitya Parishad]], [[Asam Sahitya Sabha]], [[Department of Manipuri, Assam University]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Reporter|first=STAFF|date=2010-09-15|title=26th Manipuri Language Day observed|url=https://assamtribune.com/26th-manipuri-language-day-observed|access-date=2024-05-17|website=assamtribune.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Classic language status for Manipuri demanded|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/classic-language-status-for-manipuri-demanded-116082000690_1.html}}</ref>

== Cinema ==
Meitei language movies are often shown in different film festivals in Assam, including the
[[Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival]] (BVFF), in [[Guwahati]].
In 2023, a Meitei language movie named "[[Nine Hills One Valley]]", directed by [[Haobam Pabankumar]], was shown in the event.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sarma|first=Krishangi|date=2023-12-24|title=Nine Hills One Valley is a poignant portrayal of present-day Manipur|url=http://www.eastmojo.com/manipur/2023/12/24/nine-hills-one-valley-is-a-poignant-portrayal-of-present-day-manipur/|access-date=2024-05-17|website=EastMojo|language=en-US}}</ref>

"Phisakhol" ({{lang-mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯐꯤꯁꯥꯈꯣꯜ}}|}}) is the first Meitei language movie having its debut in the [[Silchar]] city of the [[Barak Valley]] in Assam.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Phisakhol becomes first Manipuri digital film to debut at Silchar : 16th oct17 ~ E-Pao! Headlines|url=https://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=13..161017.oct17|access-date=2024-05-17|website=e-pao.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=KanglaOnline|date=2017-10-16|title=Phisakhol becomes first Manipuri digital film to debut at Silchar – KanglaOnline|url=https://kanglaonline.in/2017/10/phisakhol-becomes-first-manipuri-digital-film-to-debut-at-silchar/|access-date=2024-05-17|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Related articles ==
* [[Meitei classical language movement]]
* [[Meitei linguistic purism movement]]
* [[Meitei poetry day]] ([[Manipuri poetry day]])
* [[Meitei associate official language movement]]
* [[Meitei scheduled language movement]]
== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== Other websites ==
{{Commonscat|Meitei language}}
{{Wiktionary|Meitei|Manipuri}}
{{Wikivoyage|Meitei language}}
{{Wikibooks|Meitei language}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Meitei culture]]
[[Category:Assam]]