Endangered Languages Project

Traditionally considered the most divergent of the Tani languages, Mark Post and colleagues have recently argued for the removal of Milang from the Tani subgroup. Post and Blench (2011) hypothesize that Milang and Koro form a genetic unit, either viewed as a Tibeto-Burman subgroup with a non-Tibeto-Burman substrate, or as a non-Tibeto-Burman language group which has been influenced by Tibeto-Burman languages during its history.

ALSO KNOWN AS		Holon
CLASSIFICATION		Unclassified
CODE AUTHORITY		LINGUIST List
LANGUAGE CODE		adi-mil
DOWNLOAD		As csv
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS		Ethnologue's Adi [adi] amalgamates several ethnolinguistically and linguistically distinct groups and thus subsumes several languages: Ethnologue listed varieties: Ashing, Bokar (Boga’er Luoba), Bori, Gallong (Galong), Karko, Komkar, Milang, Minyong, Padam, Pailibo, Pangi, Pasi, Ramo, Shimong, Tangam. Milang is definitely a separate language (possibly not a member of the Tani family). Bokar, Pailibo, Ramo and Padam also are all most likely separate languages. Bori, Minyong and Tangam also may be separate languages.

Compare Sources (2)

Information from: “Language contact and the genetic position of Milang (Eastern Himalaya)” (215-258) . Post, Mark and Yankee Modi (2011)

Vulnerable

80 percent certain, based on the evidence available
2,150
Native speakers worldwide
MORE ON SPEAKER NUMBERS
Roughly 1,000 speakers in Milang village, 500 in Dalbuing village, and 150 in Peki Modi village. In addition, there are roughly 500 Milang emigrants found outside of the Milang area, primarily in and around Pasighat (Capital of East Siang district) and Roing (capital of Lower Dibang Valley district). (pg. 4)

DATE OF INFO: 2011

DOMAINS OF USE

TRANSMISSION

MORE ON VITALITY

Milang is learned as a first language by a majority of Milang children. (pg. 8)

OTHER LANGUAGES USED BY THE COMMUNITY

Padam;

LANGUAGE CONTEXT COMMENTS

A majority of contemporary Milang are fully bilingual in Padam, and those who emigrate from the Milang area typically adopt Padam in preference to Milang. Significant numbers of Milang speak no second language other than Padam (i.e. they do not speak Hindi, Assamese, or English). (pg. 9)

LOCATION DESCRIPTION: There are 3 traditional Milang villages in Aranuchal Pradesh today. "Milang" is the largest of the three, and is the only village connected to the outside world via a vehicle track. "Dalbuing" is the second largest of the Milang villages, situated to the northwest of Milang village, and connected to it via a footpath. The smallest of the Milang villages is "Peki Modi", situated to the Northeast of Milang. Peki Modi is connected to Milang (but not to Dalbuing) only via a challenging mountain footpath. In addition to theses three traditional Milang villages, there are approximately 500 Milang emigrants living primarily in and around Pasighat and Roing, outside of the Milang area. (pg. 4)

Threatened

20 percent certain, based on the evidence available
2,000
Native speakers worldwide

PLACES: Arunachal Pradesh, India

LOCATION DESCRIPTION: far north-east of Arunachal Pradesh

					2010	"Documentation and establishment of a local archive for Milang, an endangered Tibeto-Burman language of North East India" HRELP Abstract														http://www.hrelp.org/grants/projects/index.php?projid=245	Modi, Yankee	Modi, Yankee. 2010. ""Documentation and Establishment of a Local Archive For Milang, An Endangered Tibeto-Burman Language of North East India" HRELP Abstract." Online: http://www.hrelp.org/grants/projects/index.php?projid=245.						2,000		1000-9999													Threatened (20 percent certain, based on the evidence available)								Arunachal Pradesh, India	far north-east of Arunachal Pradesh	28.431389,95.041667
				3	2011	Language contact and the genetic position of Milang (Eastern Himalaya)		215-258					Anthropological Linguistics	53						https://www.academia.edu/281564/Language_contact_and_the_genetic_position_of_Milang_Eastern_Himalaya_	Post, Mark and Yankee Modi	Post, Mark and Yankee Modi. 2011. Language contact and the genetic position of Milang (Eastern Himalaya). Anthropological Linguistics 53(3): 215-258.						2,150	2011	1000-9999	Roughly 1,000 speakers in Milang village, 500 in Dalbuing village, and 150 in Peki Modi village. In addition, there are roughly 500 Milang emigrants found outside of the Milang area, primarily in and around Pasighat (Capital of East Siang district) and Roing (capital of Lower Dibang Valley district). (pg. 4)				Milang rituals and songs are generally conducted in Padam	Padam;				A majority of contemporary Milang are fully bilingual in Padam, and those who emigrate from the Milang area typically adopt Padam in preference to Milang. Significant numbers of Milang speak no second language other than Padam (i.e. they do not speak Hindi, Assamese, or English). (pg. 9)			Vulnerable (80 percent certain, based on the evidence available)	10		Milang is learned as a first language by a majority of Milang children. (pg. 8)	11					There are 3 traditional Milang villages in Aranuchal Pradesh today. "Milang" is the largest of the three, and is the only village connected to the outside world via a vehicle track. "Dalbuing" is the second largest of the Milang villages, situated to the northwest of Milang village, and connected to it via a footpath. The smallest of the Milang villages is "Peki Modi", situated to the Northeast of Milang. Peki Modi is connected to Milang (but not to Dalbuing) only via a challenging mountain footpath. In addition to theses three traditional Milang villages, there are approximately 500 Milang emigrants living primarily in and around Pasighat and Roing, outside of the Milang area. (pg. 4)

Milang

Language metadata

Language information by source

Vulnerable

80 percent certain, based on the evidence available

2,150

Threatened

20 percent certain, based on the evidence available

2,000

Discussion