Miji, also given the dialect names Sajolang and Dhammai, is a dialect cluster traditionally counted as one of the Sino-Tibetan languages that is spoken in Arunachal Pradesh, northeastern India. The varieties are not particularly close, with only half of the vocabulary in common between the languages of East Kameng District and West Kameng District. Previously classified as Sino-Tibetan languages, Miji and the recently discovered Bangru language may instead form a small independent language family.
Varieties There are two divergent varieties of Miji: Western Miji: spoken in and around Nafra and Thrizino circles, West Kameng District. Western Miji speakers refer to themselves as the Sajalang (sadʑalaŋ) or Dhəmmai (ðəmmai) (Bodt & Lieberherr 2015:70). Eastern Miji: spoken in Lada Circle,Blench, Roger. 2015. The Mijiic languages: distribution, dialects, wordlist and classification. m.s. East Kameng District. Eastern Miji speakers refer to themselves as the Nəmrai (nəmrai) (Bodt & Lieberherr 2015:70).
Bangru (treated in a separate article), sometimes called "Northern Miji", is more divergent.
Distribution According to Ethnologue, Miji is spoken in the following areas of Arunachal Pradesh.
West Kameng District, Nafra circle, Bichom and Pakesa river valley – 25 villages including Debbing, Ditchik, Rurang, Nachinghom, Upper Dzang, Naku, Khellong, Dibrick, Nizong, Najang, Zangnaching, Chalang, Nafra, and Lower Dzang East Kameng District: Bameng and Lada circles – Wakke, Nabolong, Kojo, Rojo, Sekong, Panker, Zarkam, Drackchi, Besai, Naschgzang, Sachung, Gerangzing, Kampaa, Salang, Pego, and Dongko villages
I.M. Simon (1979:iii)Simon, I. M. 1979. Miji Language Guide. Shillong: Directorate of Research, Government of Arunachal Pradesh. lists the following Miji villages from the Census of 1971. Chalang [Cinlang] Díbín [Díbín] Ditchik [Dícik] Dzang [Dzang] Jangnachin [Zanachin] Khazolang Khelong Laphozu Mathow Nakhu Nachibun Nizung Rurang
Smaller hamlets include Dishin [Dícin], Devrik [Dívih], Diyung [Diyong], Nazang [Natsang], Nanthalang, and Otung [Uthung]. Some Mijis have also live in Aka villages such as Dijungania, Buragaon, Tulu, Sarkingonia, and Yayung.
Phonology
Consonants In all Miji varieties the "p" "t" and "k" sounds are always aspirated.
+Consonant phonemes Labial Dental Alveolar Palato-alveolar Retroflex Palatal Velar Glottal Nasal Plosive voiceless voiced Affricate voiceless voiced Fricative voiceless voiced Lateralfricative voiceless voiced Rhotic Approximant ,
Vowels +Monophthong phonemes Front Central Back Close ~ Close-mid Open-mid • Open ~
Tones The Miji languages have a relatively simple tonal system with only two tones: high and low. There is a third rising tone but it is so scarcely used that in some of the languages it is disregarded completely.
References