Northeastern Kuki-Chin is a branch of Kuki-Chin languages. It was formerly called Northern Kuki-Chin, but renamed to distinguish it from the Northwestern Kuki-Chin languages. VanBik also calls the branch Northern Chin or Zo.
These languages are spoken in northern parts of Chin State in Myanmar, and various parts of Northeast India, most notably in the state of Manipur.
Languages VanBik (2009) includes the following languages as Northern Kuki-Chin languages. The positions of Ngawn and Ralte are not addressed by VanBik (2009), but they are classified as Northern Kuki-Chin in Glottolog.
Thado (Kuki) Tedim Paite Gangte Simte Chiru Sizang Ralte Vaiphei Zou Ngawn
Tedim is the local lingua franca of northern Chin State, Myanmar, while Paite (also known as Zokam) is the local lingua franca of some parts of Churachandpur Town while Thadou is the lingua franca of most of the areas inhabited by the non-Nagas of Manipur.
Classification VanBik divides the Northern Kuki-Chin branch into two major language clusters, namely the Thado cluster and Sizang cluster. Thado cluster: Thado/Kuki, Tedim, Khuangsai, Paite, Vuite Sizang cluster: Sizang/Siyin, Guite/Nguite, Vaiphei, Zou
Sound changes VanBik (2009) lists the following sound changes from Proto-Kuki-Chin to Proto-Northern Chin. Proto-Kuki-Chin *-r > Proto-Northern Chin *-k Proto-Kuki-Chin * θ- > Proto-Northern Chin *ts- Proto-Kuki-Chin *kl- > Proto-Northern Chin *tl-
References
Bibliography
Comparative word list of Paite, Simte, Thangkhal, Zou, Kom, Tedim, and Vaiphei]