| Arunamese/Nefamese | |
|---|---|
| Native to | Arunachal Pradesh |
Native speakers | unknown (2006)[1] |
Assamese-based pidgin | |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | nef |
| Glottolog | nefa1235 |
Nefamese orArunamese is apidgin ofArunachal Pradesh (formerlyNEFA), India. Its classification is unclear;Ethnologue states that it is based on theAssamese language, but also that it is most closely related to the Sino-TibetanGallong like the Assamese language formed out by the mixture of languages likeAustroasiatic,Tibeto-Burman,Tai andIndo-European family of languages.
Nefamese emerged in eastern Arunachal Pradesh as alingua franca among theNyishi,Adi,Apatanai,Khampti,Hill Miri,Idu Mishimi,Nocte,Wancho,Tagin,Mompa,Zakhring, andBugun peoples, among others—between them and with otherIndigenous Assamese people and other Indigenous groups ofNortheast India. The language is threatened by, and has perhaps somewhat been replaced by, the use ofHindi.
| Labial | Alveolar | Palatal | Velar | Glottal | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plosive | pb | td | tʃdʒ | kg | |
| Fricative | s | ʃ | h | ||
| Nasal | m | n | ŋ | ||
| Approximant | w | r,l | j |
| Front | Central | Back | |
|---|---|---|---|
| High | i | u | |
| Mid | e | ə | o |
| Low | aː |