Lamkang is one of approximately 30 Tibeto-Burman minority languages spoken in Manipur State, India. Lamkang and all of the languages most closely related to it are endangered due to intermarriage which prevents inter-generational transmission. This project will create a free downloadable lexical database and online dictionary of Lamkang which, in addition to its obvious benefits to speakers (for example, standardization of orthography), will be useful to the linguistic community in fostering a better understanding of the position of Lamkang in its areal context, its genetic relationships, and its typological connections. For example, the morphological complexity of Lamkang is striking when compared to other Northeast Indian Tibeto-Burman languages which tend to be of average morphological complexity. While related languages have either suffixal or prefixal agreement markers, Lamkang combines prefixal and suffixal agreement morphologies. The Lamkang language clearly has an interesting story to tell in terms of its morphological development.

Agency
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Institute
Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences (BCS)
Type
Standard Grant (Standard)
Application #
1160640
Program Officer
Colleen M. Fitzgerald
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
2012-03-01
Budget End
2018-08-31
Support Year
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$301,726
Indirect Cost
Name
University of North Texas
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Denton
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
76203