The Hmar language belongs to the Mizo language branch of the Sino-Tibetan family of languages. The speakers of this language use Mizo language as their second language (L2).^[6][7]

Hmar is a recognised language in the School curriculum of Assam, Manipur and Mizoram, and also recently recognised as one of the Modern Indian Language (MIL) at Manipur University. Board of Secondary Education, Assam has also included Hmar as an MIL in its matriculation syllabus from 2005. Both Manipur University and Assam University, Silchar has also permitted Khawsak Hmar language to be studied as Modern Indian Language in the Graduation level.^{[citation needed]}

Hawrawp (Alphabets)

The Hmar alphabets, known as Hmar Hawrawp has 25 letters: 6 vowels and 19 consonants.^[8] It is a modified version of the Roman script with some diacritic marks to help pronounce the dialect.^[9]

Pronunciation

Geographical distribution

Khawsak dialect of Hmar is spoken in the following locations

• Assam: Dima Hasao district, Karbi Anglong district, Hailakandi district, Karimganj district and Cachar district
• Manipur: Pherzawl district, Churachandpur district, Jiribam district and Moreh
• Mizoram: Aizawl district, Champhai district and Kolasib district
• Tripura: In and around Darchawi and Jampui Hills
• Meghalaya: Shillong and Khaddum village
• Myanmar: Tamu
• Bangladesh: Bawm

Since Hmar speakers are scattered over a vast area in Mizoram, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura, Chittagong Hill tracts, North Carolina Hills and Cachar district of Assam state and Myanmar, there appears to be slight dialectal distinction. There is no homogeneous settlement of Hmar speakers alone.^{[citation needed]} In Manipur, Hmar exhibits partial mutual intelligibility with the other Kukish dialects of the area including Thadou, Paite, Aimol, Vaiphei, Simte, Kom and Gangte languages.^[10]