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The Bonda Language, also known as Remo, is an endangered tribal language spoken in what was formerly known as Southern Orissa (now Odisha) in India.[1] Tenses share similarities between Bonda and Gutob and the same five vowels are utilized in both Bonda and Gutob[2]. In the Bonda Language there are 33 consonants[3].

Name

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The Bonda language derives its name from the tribe of the Bonda people, a tribal group located in Odisha known as the Bonda Highlanders. In their native language, the Bonda people regard themselves as "Remo', which translates to human, and derive their language name from that root, calling their language as the human language or 'Remosam' in their native tongue[4].

Classification

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The Bonda language is a tribal language, derived from the Southern Munda language branch, which stems from the Austroasiatic language family[3]. Bonda is a spoken language with no tradtional written system recorded. Bonda is a part of the Gutob-Remo branch, due to the similarities Bonda shares with another Southern Munda Language named Gutob[1].

Geographic distribution

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The language differs slightly, classified according to whether it can be categorized as Plains Remo or Hill Remo.[1]

Plains Remo

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A subdivision of Bonda, localized in 35 villages throughout the Khairpat within the Malkangiri district in Odisha. In 1941, 2,565 people categorized the Plains Remo. That number nearly doubled in 1971, with 4,764 people classifying themselves as Plains Remo. The increase in population was not correlated with language extension. [1]

Hill Remo

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A subdivision of Bonda, localized in the Jeypore Hills region of Odisha.[1]

Phonology

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Stress

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In Bonda, primary stress is placed on the last syllable in a word, syllables with diphthongs, glottal stops, or checked consonants[3]. However, Plains Remo primarily stresses the second syllable in a word[1].

Diphthongs

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Diphthongs are placed either in the beginning or middle of a word, usually used in combination of two different vowel types[3].

Bonda Translation[1]
lean tongue
bois age
guidag to wash
otoi not to be
dau small

Consonants

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There are 33 consonants in the Bonda language.[3]

Initial Consonants
p t č k
b d ǰ g
m s n r
l

Vowels

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Bonda is comprised of 5 vowel phonemes[2]:

i u
e o
a

In Bonda, vowels are nasalized and clusters are commonplace.[3]

Grammar

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Syntax

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Bonda follows the SOV (Subject + Object + Verb) sequence.[3]

Gender

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Age and gender serve as classification denominations for individuals. Female names end in /-i/ and male names end in /-a/. Animals are also distinguished by gender.[3]

Compound Verb

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The compound verb is not frequently used in Bonda and can be used as a conjunctive participle.[5]

Vocabulary

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Kinship Terminology

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In Kinship terms, the velar nasal, ŋ, is often used. Various kinship terms also represent multiple positions[6]

Bonda Translation[6]
ba? Father
iyɔŋ Mother
remɔ Man
mpɔr Husband
kunui Wife
bɔrai Aunt
busã Uncle
tata Grandfather
ya/iya Father's Mother/Mother's Mother
maŋ Eldest brother
miŋ Elder sister
ile?ǐ Grandchild
masɔ Nephew

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Anderson, Gregory (2008). The Munda Languages. New York: Routledge. pp. 557–631. ISBN 9780415328906.
  2. ^ a b DeArmond, Richard (1976). "Proto-Gutob-Remo-Gtaq Stressed Monosyllabic Vowels and Initial Consonants". Oceanic Linguistics Special Publications. 13: 213–217.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Swain, Rajashree (1998). "A Grammar of Bonda Language". Bulletin of the Declan College Research Insitute. 58/59: 391–396.
  4. ^ Dash, Jagannatha; Pati, Rabindra (2002). Tribal and Indigenous People of India: Problems and Prospects. New Dehli: APH Publishing Corporation. pp. 136–144. ISBN 8176483222.
  5. ^ Hook, Peter (1991). "The Compound Verb in Munda: An Areal and Typological Overview". Language Science. 13: 181–195.
  6. ^ a b Bhattacharya, Sudhibhushan (1970). "Kinship Terms in the Munda Language". Anthropos. 65: 444–465.