On the evidence for the relationship Kiranti-Rung

Abstract

In an article published in 1984 Thurgood presented some arguments in favor of a 'Rung' subgroup of Tibeto-Burman. in which he includes Gyarong, Kham. Chepang. Jinghpaw, Tangut. Qiang and Nungish. Thurgood also seems to suggest a closer relationship between Klranti and Rung on the basis of agreement patterns. The paradigms compared are from Gyarong and Thulung, a Western Rai language. I shall here present material from the verbal paradigms of Southern Rai, which turn out to be much closer to Gyarong than Thulung or. as far as I can see, any language of the Rung group.