Paite is a member of the Kuki-Chin-Naga branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family. It is spoken in the states of Assam, Manipur, Tripura and Mizoram in northern India. In 2011 there were about 79,500 speakers. The language is also known as Paite Chin, Haithe, Paithe, Parte, Vuite, Zomi or Zoukam.
Dialects of Paite include Bukpi, Dapzal, Dim, Dimpi, Lamzang, Lousau, Saizang, Sihzang, Telzang and Tuichiap. The most spoken dialects are Telzang and Dapzal. Paite is closely related to and mutually intelligible with other languages spoken in the same region, including Thadou, Hmar, Vaiphei, Simte, Kom and Gangte.
A way of writing Paite with the Latin alphabet was developed by Shri T Vialphung in 1903. The language is taught in primary schools, and about 75% of Paite speakers are literate in their language. There are also radio programmes in Paite.
Hear the Paite alphabet:
Download an alphabet chart for Paite (Excel)
Information about the Paite alphabet provided by Wolfram Siegel
Mi tengteng zalena piang ihi ua, zahomna leh dikna tanvou ah kibangvek ihi. Sia leh pha theihna pilna neia siam ihihziakun imihingpihte tungah unauna lungsim feltak iputngai ahi.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They
are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another
in a spirit of brotherhood.
(Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)
Information about Paite | Numbers | Tower of Babel
Information about the Paite language
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paite_language
https://www.ethnologue.com/language/pck
http://www.endangeredlanguages.com/lang/5678
https://glottolog.org/resource/languoid/id/pait1244
Bawm, Biete, Chiru, Falam, Hakha, Karbi, Kom, Mizo, Mongsen Ao, Paite, Tedim, Thadou, Zeme, Zotung, Zou
Languages written with the Latin alphabet
Page last modified: 06.06.24
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