Patkaian (Northern Naga)

This chapter presents an overview of the languages spoken in the Patkai range along the India-Myanmar border. Known by a number of names, perhaps most commonly “Northern Naga or “Eastern Naga”, this group includes varieties such as Wancho, Konyak, Khiamniungan, Tangsa-Nocte, Chang, Phom and Lainong, among others. Patkaian varieties can be split into two main branches, with the southern branch subsequently split into eastern and western varieties. The internal sub-grouping of Patkaian varieties is presented here, along with some characteristic features of the major branches and sub-branches, with a primary focus on pronominal systems and numbers due to the considerable differences found in these systems.