Phonetic structures of Khonoma Angami

Abstract

Angami is a Tibeto-Burman language spoken in the Naga Hills in the northeastern parts of India. There are several dialects, the most prominent being Chokri, Khonoma, and Kohima. The last is considered the standard variety for publications and is taught in schools. Although there is no Angami written literature, there are published translations of textbooks and religious writings (Ravindran 1974). Published descriptions of Kohima dialect include Burling (1960), Ravindran (1974) and Giridhar (1980). The various dialects are mutually intelligible but differ in tonal and segmental inventory. This study describes the phonetic inventory of one of the smaller Angami dialects, Khonoma, which is spoken by about 4,000 people in the extreme west of the Angami region. Further information about the phonology and grammar of Khonoma Angami can be found in Chase (forthcoming).