BiharHindi

BiharHindi is a regional variety of the Hindi language spoken primarily in the Indian state of Bihar. It functions as a common means of communication among speakers of diverse language backgrounds in Bihar, including communities native to Bhojpuri, Magahi, and Maithili, as well as urban migrants. While intelligible to speakers of Standard Hindi, BiharHindi features local phonetic, lexical, and syntactic patterns shaped by contact with Bihar's other languages and dialects.

Phonology and lexicon: It often shows influence from neighboring languages—an admixture of loanwords, and distinctive pronunciation patterns in casual speech. The syntax tends to preserve standard Hindi morphology, but with regional rhythm and particle usage that reflect local speech habits.

Regions and variation: There is substantial regional variation within Bihar; urban centers such as Patna and Muzaffarpur may have a more standardized or prestige form sometimes referred to as Patna Hindi, while rural areas tend toward broader local speech forms. BiharHindi is primarily a spoken variety; in formal writing and education, Standard Hindi in Devanagari is used.

Role and status: BiharHindi is not typically codified as a separate language; it is generally viewed as a dialect or sociolect of Hindi with a distinct regional identity. It coexists with the state's other languages, and many speakers are bilingual, often switching between BiharHindi in informal contexts and Standard Hindi in formal settings.

Script: written Hindi, including BiharHindi uses the Devanagari script. Historical use of Kaithi existed in the region for some languages, but modern written communication in Bihar typically employs Devanagari.