Languages of Dima Hasao: Dima Hasao, a picturesque district in Assam, India, is a melting pot of languages and cultures. This region is home to diverse communities, each contributing to its linguistic richness. Among the many languages spoken in Dima Hasao, Dimasa, Bengali, and Zeme stand out due to their significant cultural and historical importance.
Dimasa
Dimasa, a Tibeto-Burman language, is the most prominent language in Dima Hasao. The Dimasa people, the district’s indigenous inhabitants, consider their language central to their cultural identity. Dimasa features tonal variations, a subject-object-verb word order, and a rich vocabulary rooted in the community’s agrarian lifestyle and traditions. Used in daily communication, rituals, and storytelling, Dimasa is more than just a language—it is a repository of the community’s history and worldview.
Bengali
Bengali, an Indo-Aryan language, is spoken by a significant portion of the population in Dima Hasao. Bengali speakers in the district are often descendants of settlers or traders who migrated to the region. Known for its literary legacy, Bengali adds to the linguistic diversity of Dima Hasao and serves as a bridge between different communities in trade and cultural exchange.
Zeme
Zeme, another Tibeto-Burman language, is primarily spoken by the Zeme Naga community residing in Dima Hasao. It is a tonal language with a unique phonological and grammatical structure. Like Dimasa, Zeme is deeply tied to the cultural practices and oral traditions of its speakers. Songs, folklore, and rituals in Zeme contribute to the preservation of the community’s identity.
Linguistic Challenges and Preservation Efforts
The dominance of regional and national languages like Assamese, Hindi, and English poses challenges to the survival of indigenous languages. Younger generations often prioritize these dominant languages for education and employment, leading to a decline in native language use. To counter this, local communities and organizations are documenting and promoting Dimasa, Zeme, and other indigenous languages through cultural programs, educational initiatives, and digital platforms, ensuring that these languages continue to thrive in the district’s rich linguistic landscape.
Review
At the time of the 2011 census, 35.72% of the population spoke Dimasa, 11.80% spoke Bengali, and 9.65% spoke Zeme. Among the languages of Dima Hasao, people speak Dimasa the most widely.