INTRODUCTION II 43 | The principal tribes inhabiting the plains of Assam in the midst of the Assamese-speaking people are the Chutias, Kacharis and Garos of the Bodo group, the Mikirs, Khassis and Nagas of the Kuki-Chin group, the Daflas, Miris and Bhutanese of the Tibetan group and the Khamtis and Phakials of the Tai group. The Ahoms of the Tai group have merged into the Assamese society. With the exception of the Tai group these tribes belong to the Tibeto-Burman family. | It will be contrary to the law of human speech not to expect in Assamese some traces of the languages spoken by such people. As a matter of fact they have left permanent marks in the Assamese language. The Bodo group, especially, forming as they do, a large proportion of the population of Assam have left unmistakable traces of their language. The elements of such languages may be classed under two main heads, viz. (1) Glossarial affinities and (2) Grammatical affinities. The former may be subdivided into (a) Vocabulary and (b) Geography. I describe below what I mean. (1) Glossarial affinities (a) Vocabulary A large number of words of the Tibeto-Burman family and a few of the Taic family have found their way into Assamese. The following may be mentioned :- Meaning. Derivation. Assales word. Ai mother. high land, village, boy. Ati Apa Alahi Kabu যuest. convenience. wild dog. ১ast, Kuang kur Ketenga Kerep . Khang feeble, emaciated. are, anger. Kach -- di, Bhut.-di, chut-yoyo | (=mother). V. dpi (mother). Chut.-itig। (=village) Bhut..Fippi, kachifa, Gar.ifa, chut.appa, (=father) : Dr.-- appa (=father).. Mik.dai arleng (=a guest). Khas-kabu (=good luck; opportu- | nity, Khas-Kuang (=wild dog). Chut. Sa Kiruba (east, fit. Sun- | rising). Chut.cketenga (=feeble, emaciated). Mik.--Kerep (=aid). Chut.--klians, Gar. Khaoanga | (=anger). Gar.-Sraka, araka, kach-salaria (= to lick). Ah. Can (=company). Ah-caodang (=hangman). Khamjangplai (samber). Chutiku =(to bathe), Ah-jik | (=wet). Kachrinkhili, Garikli (=small carthen jar), Kach«dang, Gar-jalans (=bridge). Celek to lick. Cam batch, Caudang hangman, Jangphai amber (used as cur ornament). to be wet, Jik Tekeli small earthen jar. Dalang a bridge.
