Classification of Kirati People and Languages
The Kirati languages are frequently posited to form part of a Maha-Kiranti family, although specialists are not completely certain of either the existence of a Kirati subgroup or its precise membership. LaPolla (2003), though, proposes that Kirati may be part of a larger "Rung" group.
Languages
There are about two dozen Kirati languages. The better known are Bahing, Limbu, Vayu, Lohorung and Kulung (Rai). Over all, they are:
- Limbu
- Limbu (affinities to Eastern Kirati)
- Eastern Kirati
- Greater Yakkha: Yakkha, Lumba-Yakkha, Phangduwali, Belhare, Athpare, Chintang, Chulung
- Upper Arun River: Yamphu–Lohorung, Meohang, Waling
- Central Kirati
- Khambu (Rai): Kulung, Nachering, Sampang, Saam
- Southern: Bantawa, Puma, Chamling, Dungmali
- Western Kirati
- Midwestern: Thulung (perhaps a primary branch of Kirati)
- Chaurasiya: Wambule, Jerung
- Upper Dudhkosi River: Khaling, Dumi, Kohi
- Northwestern (Sunwari): Bahing, Sunuwar, Wayu
Ethnologue adds Tilung to Western.
Kirati verbs are not easily segmentable, due in large part to the presence of portmanteau morphemes, crowded affix strings, and extensive (and often nonintuitive) allomorphy.(Wikipedia)
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