The Ṭhiek (also Thiek or Thriek or Thiak) language is spoken primarily by the Ṭhiek people, a subgroup of the Hmar people, in the Dima Hasao district of Assam, particularly in villages such as Boro Muolkoi, Retzawl, Huonveng (Haflong), Huonveng (Harangajao) and neighbouring settlements. Smaller communities of speakers are also found in Cachar district of Assam, Manipur and Meghalaya.[2][3][4][5]

Ṭhiek
Thiek, Thriek, Thiak
Ṭhiek Ṭawng
Native toIndia
RegionDima Hasao district, Assam
EthnicityṬhiek, a subgroup of the Hmar people
Native speakers
c. 3,100 (2016)[1]
Language codes
ISO 639-3639-3
Glottologthie1234

Ṭhiek is an endangered Hmaric language with approximately 3,126 speakers recorded in a 2016 publication. Although the language continues to be transmitted within some villages, the increasing use of Standard Hmar (Khawsak Ṭawng), Mizo, Assamese and English has contributed to its gradual decline among younger generations.[1]

Ṭhiek belongs to the Kuki–Chin branch of the Tibeto–Burman language family and forms part of the Hmaric subgroup, together with Hmar (Khawsak), Saihriem (Faihriem), Leiri and Duhlian varieties.[6]

Basic vocabulary

edit
Thiek language English
Kai mawh ni rahming? What is your name?
Ki rahming chu Lala. My name is Lala.
Ki lawm ie. Thank You
Ni dam mawh? How are you?
Ki dam ie. I am fine.
Tui Water
Boruok Air
Ralei Soil
Nga fish
Ar (sa) chicken(meat)
Vawksa pork
Bawngsa beef
Kêlsa mutton
Dailo lentils
Zingkar Morning
Zantieng Evening
Zakuo Shirt
Kekawr pants
Marcha chilli
Maser Orange
Chafe Tea
Lungansiet takin tui ni pe ta. Please give me water.
Lungansiet takin bu ni pe ta. Please give me food (rice).
Lungansiet takin hme ni pe ra. Please give me curry (side dish) vegetable / meat.
Kai maw ki pek hrang tie? What will I give you?
Kai? What?
I tik? When?
Kai lei? Why?
Khaw tieng? Where?
Kai tin? How?
Imuanhnik. Sleep well. (The equivalent of "Good Night".)
Kai tin Aizawl ki fe? How do I go to Aizawl?
Ama hi iza man mawh? What is the price of this?
Dam takin fe raw uo. Safe journey

Numbers

edit

Given below are the English-Thiek Translation of numbers[7]

0 Biel
1 Ankhat
2 Anhni
3 Anthum
4 Manli
5 Ranga
6 Aruk
7 Sari
8 Ariet
9 Akuok
10 Sawm
20 Sawmanhni
30 Sawmanthum
40 Sawmmanli
50 Sawmranga
60 Sawmrauk
70 Sawmsari
80 Sawmariet
90 Sawmakuok
100 Raza

Names of weeks

edit
Sl. No. English Thiek
1 Sunday Pathienni
2 Monday Thawṭanni
3 Tuesday Thawleni
4 Wednesday Nilâini
5 Thursday Ningani
6 Friday Zirtawpni
7 Saturday Inrinni

Documentation

edit

The Thiek language has been documented through field recordings, elicitation sessions, narratives, conversations, and photographs collected by linguist Marina L. Infimate in 2023-25. These materials are preserved in the Thiek Language Resource hosted by the UNT Digital Library and are also available through the Endangered Languages Archive (ELAR).[3][4]

A collaborative documentation of Saihriem and Thiek: Two South-Central languages of the Cachar cluster was also undertaken under the Endangered Languages Documentation Programme in partnership with Indian Institute of Technology Delhi.[8]

Thiek Clan (Thiek Pahnam)[9]
Athu Amaw (Amo) Tuolor Thilsong
Buhril Hekte Ralsun Chawnghekte
Thluchung (TC) Kungate Selate Tuolte
Ṭaite Hnamte Kangbur Khawzawl
Lalum Laldau Saibung Vankal
Pangote Pangulte Khawbuol Pakhumate
Khumthur Khumsen Thlihran Tamte
Hmante Chawnnel Zate

References

edit
  1. 1 2 Ṭhiek Tawng (2016); Grace Rosangpui Khawbung (2020).
  2. Vanlal Tluonga Bapui (1996); Grace Rosangpui Khawbung (2020).
  3. 1 2 "Thiek Language Resource". UNT Digital Library. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  4. 1 2 "Thiek language". Endangered Languages Archive (ELAR). Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  5. "Document Title". Scribd. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
  6. VanBik (2009); Baruah & Bapui (1996).
  7. "Document Title". Scribd. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
  8. "A collaborative documentation of Saihriem and Thiek: Two South-Central languages of the Cachar cluster". Culture in Crisis. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  9. "Hmar Clans". Retrieved 13 August 2024.