Assamese

Assamese is an Eastern Indo-Aryan language spoken primarily in the Indian state of Assam. It functions as the official language of Assam and is widely used in government, education, media, and daily communication. The language has a standard form developed from central Assam speech, while numerous regional dialects are spoken across the state. Estimates place native speakers in the tens of millions, with additional L2 speakers in surrounding areas and the diaspora.

Origins and dialects: Assamese evolved from early eastern Indo-Aryan dialects and has a long literary history dating to medieval periods. The language was shaped by poets and scholars in the Vaishnavite movement, notably in the 15th–16th centuries. Regional varieties include Kamrupi in western Assam and the Barak Valley varieties, among others. The standard form is based on central Assam speech.

Script and phonology: Assamese is written in the Assamese script, a variant of the Bengali-Assamese script. It is an abugida with distinct characters for vowels and consonants. The phonology features typical Indo-Aryan contrasts, including aspirated and unaspirated stops, but it retains no phonemic tone.

Literature and culture: Assamese literature flourished from medieval compositions to modern prose and poetry. Prominent figures include Srimanta Sankardev and other writers who contributed to religious and secular literature. The language is central to Assamese culture, including music, theatre, and festivals such as Bihu. It is widely used in local media, education, and public life in Assam.

Status and education: In Assam, Assamese is taught in schools and used in government administration and media. It coexists with Bengali in the Barak Valley and with other languages in multilingual contexts. The language also has a presence in the global Assamese diaspora.