ADALYA JOURNAL ISSN NO: 1301-2746
A HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF THE TAI LANGUAGE STUDY IN ASSAM
Khanikar Maut
Research Scholar Dibrugarh University, Assam, India Email : [email protected] Contact : 8638885342
Abstract
Assam is a coordination place of diverse ethnic groups, cultures and societies. One of the
northeast states of India, Assam is well known as a museum of languages in all over the world.
Many Taiethinic groups are living here for many centuries. Ahom, Phake, Khamti, Khamyang,
Aiton and Turung—these Tai ethnic groups of Assam have their own languages. These languages
also have writing tradition among them and numerous texts of many contexts have been written
in these languages. According to the experts, the Tai languages included in Sino Tibetan and Tai
Kadai language families. Unfortunately, these languages are now counted as endangered
languages. This study intends to briefly summarize the study of endangered Tai languages in
Assam. This study is an account of Tai language study in Assam, which is highlighting the
Dictionaries, Grammars and research works that have been done.
Keywords : Tai, Ahom, Phake, endangered, Khamti. Turung
1.0 Introduction
The Christian Missionaries are known as the pioneer of the modern language study in Assam.
They are the main contributor to the language study in the entire North-East India and with their great
effort the linguistic survey of many tribes was initiated from the beginning period of the 19th century.
Historically, the first folio of language study was drafted in the 18th century under the patronage of
Ahom king Gaurinath Singha (1780-1795). During this period, Tangain Mohan and Ramakanta
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Molaigharia Boruah had compiled the two significant Tai Ahom lexicons named as Bar Ammra and
Lati Ammra. From these two great manuscripts the study of Tai Ahom language has been continued to
the present time. Nowadays, a good amount of grammars, dictionaries, linguistic studies are available
about Tai Ahom Language. In spite the fact that Tai Ahom language has a good background of
research, still in the report of UNESCO the Tai Ahom is measured as one of the endangered languages
of India. Moreover, The other Tai languages of Assam are also reported as an endangered language by
UNESCO. Total six languages of the Tai Language family are found in Assam— Tai Ahom, Tai
Khamti, Tai Phake, Tai Khamyang, Tai Turung and Tai Aiton. This study intends to give a well
documented summary of language study of these Tai languages.
1.1 Methodology
The Study of this selected topic has been done by descriptive method. The outline of this study
has drawn from the survey of the rare books of Tai language and with the intensive library work in
different libraries of Assam. The primary sources of data have mostly been used in this research.
Besides, some secondary sources are used to enrich the study.
1.2 Objectives of the Study
(a) Give a summary of written books, grammar, research works that related to the Tai language
family of Assam.
(b) Expose the methods that have been used to study these Tai Languages
(c) Find out the contribution of research and study to the endangered Tai languages of Assam
in its preservation.`
(d) Find out the efficiency of the study works that have been done about Tai language Family
of Assam.
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1.3 Area of Study
This study intends to draw the outline of the history of Tai language study in Assam which have
been done from the early stage to the 21st century. The study focus mainly on the research works,
Grammars and dictionaries of the Tai Languages of Assam. The literary works have not been included
in this study. For the best analysis of the selected topic the books are discussed in three sections—
Grammar, Dictionary and research works
2.0 History of Tai Language Study
The Tai language study has many dimensions which could be classified in many sections by
time and their type. In this study the books have been discussed according to the published time and
classified in a particular section. Furthermore, Language wise categorization has not been done in this
study.
2.1 Grammar
Outline Grammar of the Khamti Language (1898) by J.F. Needham is known as the first
grammar book of the Tai languages of Assam. This grammar book was prepared with the survey of the
Tai khamti speakers of nearby locations of Sadiya. In the next, Ghanakanta Boruah had written the
book Ahom Primer (1936) which had been published by the department of Historical and Antiquarian
Studies of Assam. This book was written on the based of Tai Ahom Language. The next Grammar
book that had been written by Bimalakant Boruah was Tai Bhasa (1974). The discussion of the
relationship between the Tai languages has got a place in this book. Tai-Khamti Phonology and
Vocabulary (1977) by Alfons Weidert is the first Tai Khamti grammar book that focus on the basic
phonetics and the vocabulary of Tai Khamti. Moreover, Tai Kathopakathan (1988) by Puspa Gogoi,
Tai Ahom Primer (1989) by Priyabar Konwar, Tai Bhasar Byakaran (1990) by Nomalchandra Gogoi
were the significant grammar books of this period. The Nomalchandra Gogoi’s grammar book contains
a brief comparative study of Ahom, Khamti and Shan Language. Tai Ahom Primer (1989&1990)
published in two parts was a jointly written book of Ratneswar buragohain and Tilu Hatiboruah. In the
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year 1992, Tai Bhasar Prathamik Path was written by Aimyangkheng Gohain which is lately added to
the Tai language learning syllabus of Dibrugarh University. In this book the author included the
discussion about the structural aspects of Tai Language. Some books have been written in educational
purpose to revitalize the endangered Tai languages in Assam. Tai Path(1994) by Puspa Gogoi, Khamti
Phrase Book (1997) by jimi Pulu, Tai Phake Primer (1997) and Tai Aiton Primer (1997) by Stephen
morey are the remarkable grammars of Tai Languages which are contributing in the linguistic study of
these languages. Ratneswar Buragohain was written a another book named Pung Kham Tai (1994).
This book deals with primary grammatical aspects of the Ahom languages and also contains a glimpse
of Morphology of this particular Language. Though these books were grammatical in nature, yet those
were considered as significant contribution to the endangered Tai Languages.
In the beginning of 21st Century Dauk Nyae Lik Tai (2000) by Chandra Konwar, Kankhom Tai
(2000) by Tilu Hatiboruah, Lik tai Ahom (2001) by Jonaram Changbon Phukan were published and
fortified the need of Tai Language grammar. These books contain phonectical and morphological
glimpses of the Tai languages. Some academic and Research oriented books were written about these
Tai languages by many authors. Most of them were only written about the Tai Ahom Language. The
Foreign researchers are also contributing to the Tai Language Study. Overall, We can mention many
others books in this category— An Introductory Primer and Grammar of Ahom (Tai) Language
(Jugendranath Phukan, 2004), Lik Kham Tai (Bipul Chandra Gogoi, Umesh Gohain,2008), Ti Bhashar
Siksha (Lathon Mauk, 2008), Tai Bhasha Sikhu Aha (Biswa Changbon Phukan, 2009), Tai Bhashar
Parichai (Babul Phukn,2009), Lit Pung Kham Tai (Babul Phukan, 2010), Tai Barnar Parichai (Babul
Phukan,2011), Tai Bhashar Sikshar Puthi (Medani Madhab Mohan,2011), Tai Primer, Byakaranar
Hoite (Chandra Konwar, 2013), Pap San Lik Tai (Ai Seng Kyo Buraghain, 2013), Tai Bhashar Hahaj
Kathopakathan (Madeni Madhab Mohan,2014), Ma San Kham Tai (Dharitree Gogoi Phukan, 2017),
Tai Khamti Easy English Translation (P.S Bhikkhu), Tai Khamti Primer (C.K Monnoi) etc.
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All these above mentioned works have introduced grammatical structures of Tai Languages. Some
of these book also outline the phonectic and morphologic charecteristics of Tai languges. Moreover, we
could not claim purely indivisual genine work in each and every book and drawbacks could be find
straightforwardly. Some of these books are influenced by others and rectified with the references of
earlier books. Nevertheless, these works enrich the Tai language study adequately.
2.2 Dictionaries
The compile of Assamese Dictionary or lexicon have an age long tradition. The practice of compiled
dictionary was started with the Tai Ahom language of Assam in the 17th century. Under the
patronage of Ahom king Gaurinath Singha (1780-1795) Bar Ammra and Lati Ammra have been
written by Tangai Mohan and Ramakanta Malaigharia Baruah. These two Dictionaries manuscripts
which were written on Sanchi (Aquillaria Agallocha) tree bark compiled together as ‘Ahom Laxicon’
by Bimalakanta Baruah and Nandanath Daodhai Phukan in 1964. Assam Historical and Antiquarian
studies department had published this book. In fact the beginning of composing dictionary or
lexicon in the modern era of Assam was initiated by the American Baptist missionary in the 19th
century. Before this substantial publication of manuscripts Rai sahib Gopal Chandra Boruah
composed a dictionary named Ahom-Assamese-English Dictionary (1920). From the decade of
seventy a good numbers of Tai dictionaries have been composed and compiled by many scholars of
Tai languages. Banchob Bandhumdha’s Aiton-Thai- English Dictionary (1970) and Phake-Thai-
English Dictionary (1987), The Assamese-English-Tai-Dictionary (Nomal Chandra Gogoi, 1987),
Tai Ahom Sabdakosh (1998), Lati Ammra ba Tai Ahom Sabdakosh (Girin Mohung Boruah,) were
the some significant works that truly enriched the collection of Tai language dictionaries.
In twenty first century many other great contributions have done by different authors in this
field. Puspa Gogoi’s Tai-Assamese-English Dictionary (2007) is a huge collection of Ahom,
Khamti, Phake, Aiton, Khamyang and Turung words. Furthermore, many words associate with the
Shan and Thai language are also included in this dictionary. Besides, a comparative analysis of
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native Tai words with the Thai Language is offered in the discussion of this dictionary. Numerous
Tai language dictionaries are compiled in contemporary time. Taiphake Assamiya Sabdakosh (Biju
Moran, 2009), Lik cham to Kham Tai Poi Ka Na (Phanidhar Chongbung Phukan, 2011), Tai Ahom
Paribhasha (Madini Madhab Mohan, 2013), Comparative Tai Vocabulary (Bhim kanta Boruah,
2014), Prathamik Tai Ahom Sabdakosh (Sonaram Mohan Phukan, 2017), Assamiya Ahom Enragi
Assamiya Sabdakosh (Madini Madhab Mohan, 2017) are the particularly mentionable Dictionaries
of Tai languages.
However, we can find multiple dictionaries of Tai Language but only a few dictionaries are
compiled with the norms of lexicography. Even so these dictionaries are contributing in
conservation and sustainability of Tai Languages.
Research
In the first decade of the 19th Century, the modern era of Linguistic study about the languages of
North-East India initiated. The Christian missionaries were the pioneer of the language study of
Assam. Subsequently, George Abraham Grierson leaded the comprehensive survey of the language
of India in British India. In the survey report of the Linguistic Survey of India, the second and third
volumes of the book contain discussion about various languages of North-East India including Tai
languages. The part no.19 of the second volume contains discussions about the languages like
Ahom, Khamati, Khamyang, Aiton and so on. The discussion of scripts, tone, morphological
structure of these particular languages is also acquired place in this book. The Linguistic study
about the Tai languages of Assam got a new standard in 1988. In this year the Studies in Sino-
Tibetan Languages by Satyandra Narayan Goswami was published. The Linguistic study about the
Tai languages of Assam got a new standard in 1988. In this year the Studies in Sino-Tibetan
Languages by Satyandra Narayan Goswami was published. A new approach has been found to
explore the Tai languages in academic research since that. Goswami studied about Phake, Khamti
and Ahom languge in many aspects. Assamar Bhasa (Bhim Kanta Boruah, 1990), Bhasa Sahityar
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Bibidh Sinta (Arpana Konwar, 2005), Assamiya aru Assamar Bhasa Upabhasa (Upen Rabha
Hakacham, 2009), Assamiya aru Assamar Bhasa (Biswajit Das. P.C. Basumatary,2010) — these
books are greatly contributing to the Tai language study of Assam. these books are greatly
contributing to the Tai language study of Assam. These books concentrate on scientific research of
Tai languages and point out many verdicts and findings regarding phonology, morphology, syntax,
semantics, and pragmatics.
Numerous academic research works have been accomplished by many researchers from the last
of 20th Century about Tai languages. First of all, Prabin Saikia completed his Ph.D research in this
particular study domain with his thesis entitle Khamti Janagusti aru Bhasa eti Addhyayan in 1980.
Afterwards, we could mention couple of researcher who contribute in the Tai language study.
Namphkaehakalar Bhasa Sahitya aru Sanskritit Abhumuki (Anjana Kakoti,m.phil,1981),
Phakiyalhakar Bhasa aru Sanskriti (Ranjita Sharma, 1988), A Morphological Study on The Tai-
Phake Language (Numal Chandra Gogoi, Ph.D, 1995), Turung Bhasar Rupatattik Addhyayan
(Anjali Chutia, Ph.D, 2000), The Tai Language of Assam - a grammar and texts (Stephen
Morey,2002), Tai Turung Bhasa Ek Barnanatmak Addhyayan (Bolin Handique,Ph.D, 2002), Tai
Phake Bhasa : Barnanatmak Addhyayan, (Biju Moran, Ph.D, 2007), Margerita Mohkumar Tai
Khamyanghakar Samaj-Sanskriti (Arunima Saikia, Ph.D, 2007), Turung aru Sinpho Bhasa eti
Tulanamulak Addhyayan (Anjali Chutia, Ph.D, 2009), þ Tai-Ahom and Standard Thai : A
Descriptive Comparative study (Rungkarn Duarnthi,2012), Turung aru Aiton Bhasar Ruptatta
(Nabami Gogoi, Ph.D, 2014), Tai Khamyan Bhasa: Bornanatmak Addhyayan (Madhumita Chetia,
Ph.D,2014), Tai Aiton Bhasa (Bhaskarjit Bora, Ph.D, 2015) — these are the major research works
that have been done. Typically, the Morphological structure of Tai languages has got attention of
previous researcher. Recently, some researchers are focusing on acoustic analysis of these Tai
languages. Tai Khamyang Bhasar Dhwanitatta : Sanbohanik Bishlesan (Darpanjit Konwar, m.phil,
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2014), Tai Ahom Bhasar Sabda : Gathonik Bishlesan (Lakhyajit Boragohain, m.phil, 2014), Tai
Aiton Bhasar Dhwanitatta : Sanbohanik Bishlesan (Pankajyoti Bora, m.phil,2015) — discussions of
these dissertations are based on the laboratory work of the collected data through field study. Daori
aru Tai Turung Bhasar Rupatattwa : Ek Boeparitwamulak Addhyayan (Aparajita Gogoi, Ph.D,
2016), A Critical Analysis of the Morphology of the Khamti Language (Sunil Handique,Ph.D, 2017),
Taishakar Sambandhabasak Sabdawali : Ek Samaj-Bhasaboigyanik Addhyayan (Junmoni Gogoi,
Ph.D, 2017) — these Ph.D research works are assisting the academic field in exploring the Tai
languages of Assam.
Findings
. The study of Tai Ahom language is comparatively getting more attention of researchers than
the other Tai languages.
. The books and texts about the Tai languages are not enough for conservation of these
endangered languages. The Government could take initiative regarding this.
. The research work analyzing these languages by association with the ‘Tai Kadai’ language
family is insufficient.
. Contrastive or comparative language study within these six endangered languages has not
been accomplished.
Conclusion
If effective and strong initiatives have been taken for conservation and restoration of these
endangered languages that will incredibly help the speakers of these languages. This can be only
possible with the vast study and developing learning methods and metarials for these languages.
Beyond this study and its limitations the Tai languages have great scope for further research.
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Reference
Hazarika, Sabnam (2019), Assamar Taimuliya Bhasar Adhyayan : Ek Samikhya (Unpublished Ph.D
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