Nagamese

Nagamese, also known as Nagamese Creole, is a contact language spoken in the Indian state of Nagaland. It functions as a lingua franca among speakers of many Naga languages and communities, and is used in daily communication, trade, education, and media, especially in cities like Dimapur and Kohima. The language developed from Assamese in contact with various Naga languages during the 19th and 20th centuries, with English later contributing vocabulary and discourse influence.

Linguistically, Nagamese is typically described as an analytic, subject–verb–object language with limited inflection. Its core lexicon is largely based on Assamese, augmented by borrowings from Naga languages and English. Grammatical marking is simplified compared with many source languages, and tense or aspect is often indicated by particles or context rather than verb conjugation. The pronunciation and intonation patterns reflect a blend of Assamese and local phonologies.

In terms of status, Nagamese is widely used across Nagaland in informal settings and is the first or second language for many residents. It is not an official state language; English and various local languages serve official and educational functions, while Nagamese appears in everyday interaction, local media, and church activities. There is no single standard orthography; most writing uses the Latin script, though some texts have employed Assamese script.

Classification of Nagamese varies among scholars. Some describe it as a pidgin that has become a creolized lingua franca, while others treat it as a creole or creolized language with evolving, community-driven norms. The language continues to adapt as it contacts new speakers and influences.