| Tibeto-Kanauri
Bodish-Himalayish
|
|
|---|---|
| Geographic distribution: |
Nepal, Tibet, and neighboring areas |
| Genetic classification: |
Sino-Tibetan (Tibeto-Burman) Bodic ? Tibeto-Kanauri |
| Subdivisions: | |
The Tibeto-Kanauri or Bodish-Himalayish languages are a proposed intermediate level of classification of the Tibeto-Burman languages, centered on the Tibetan and Kanauri languages. The conception of the relationship, or if it is even a valid group, varies between researchers.
Conceptions of Tibeto-Kanauri
Benedict (1972) originally posited the Tibeto-Kanauri aka Bodish-Himalayish relationship, but had a more expansive conception of Himalayish, including Qiangic, Magaric, and Lepcha, than generally found today.
Van Driem (2001) notes that the Bodish, West Himalayish, and Tamangic languages (but not Benedict's other families) appear to have a common origin. Bradley (1997) takes much the same approach but words things differently: He incorporates West Himalayish and Tamangic as branches within his "Bodish", which thus becomes close to Tibeto-Kanauri. This and his Himalayan family[same as Mahakiranti?] constitute his Bodic family.
Matisoff includes Bodish and West Himalayish with the Lepcha language as a third branch. He unites these at a higher level with Mahakiranti as Himalayish.
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