442 MEMOIR OF A SURVEY OF 



all traces of their original language have been lost. Here they are 

 insulated as a people : a very extensive district, inhabited by Singfo 

 tribes, intervening between them and the nearest place where the Sham* 

 language is known. They informed me that, according to their traditions, 

 the country, at the time of their arrival, was occupied by Lamas, and the 

 Khaphok tribe ; however, I could discover no similarity between the 

 languages of any of the tribes of the immediate neighbourhood and that 

 of the Thibetians ; and it is difficult to imagine that, if intercourse ever 

 existed with Thibet, it should have been entirely dropped, or that the 

 barbarian Mishmis should ever have been suffered to become the only 

 channel of communication with the parent country. 



The Miduks have already been mentioned as having a peculiar 

 language. The mass of the labouring population is of the Khaphok tribe, 

 whose dialect is closely allied to the Singfo, yet sufficiently different 

 to cause embarrassment to both parties in holding converse. In the 

 language of the Khaniing, who inhabit the mountains to the N. E. and E., 

 a few words are found resembling the Singfo, but it may be pronounced 

 a distinct language. That of the Khalang tribe, whose villages on the 

 Namlang, subject to Manche, will be spoken of hereafter, resembles the 

 Singfo more nearly, as also does that of the Nogmiin tribe, who are on 

 Nam Disang. But none of these dialects are at all allied to the Sham or 

 Khamti. This small tract, perhaps, affords an unparalleled instance of 

 seven dialects being spoken at villages remote from each other, only one 

 days journey, which differ so much that the inhabitant of one would not 

 be understood at the other. The difficulty which would arise, is got over 

 by their all acquiring a sufficient knowledge of the Khamti. 



* It may be proper to observe, that according to the Luri Gohain, the Khamtis speak 

 precisely the same language (Shams) with the Shams of Mungkhung, or those from beyond the 

 Irawadi. It has not yet been ascertained, whether the Siamese language differs in any respect from 

 theirs, or is materially the same. 



