Manipuri

Manipuri is the predominant language and lingua franca in the southeastern Himalayan state of Manipur, in northeastern  India. It is the official language in government offices. Manipuri or Meiteilon is also spoken in the Indian states  of Assam and  Tripura, and in Bangladesh and Burma (now Myanmar). It is currently classified as a vulnerable language by UNESCO.

 

Manipuri or Meiteilon is a Sino-Tibetan language whose exact classification remains unclear. It has lexical resemblances to Kuki andTangkhul Naga.

 

Manipuri or Meiteilon has proven to be an integrating factor among all ethnic groups in Manipur who use it to communicate among themselves. It has been recognized (as Manipuri) by the Indian Union and has been included in the list of scheduled languages (included in the 8th schedule by the 71st amendment of the constitution in 1992). Manipuri or Meiteilon is taught as a subject up to the post-graduate level (Ph.D.) in universities of India, apart from being a medium of instruction up to the undergraduate level in Manipur. Education in government schools is provided in Manipuri or Meiteilon through the eighth standard.