Introduction

The Falam Chin language group are located in eastern India and central Myanmar (Burma). The population is 69,000 (1983). This number is divided by dialectal groups: 9,000 Taisun, 16,000 Zanniat, 7,000 Khualsim, 4,000 Lente, 14,400 Zahau, 18,600 Laizo (1983). The total users in all countries is 107,300.

The ISO code is cfm. Alternate names for the group are Falam, Fallam, Halam, and Hallam Chin. The linguistic classification is Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Kuki-Chin, Central, Lai.
Dialects
Zanniat (Zahnyiet, Zanniet),

Taisun (Shunkla, Sunkhla, Taishon, Tashom, Tashon),

Laizo (Laiso, Laizao, Laizo-Shimhrin),

Zahau (Lyen-Lyem, Yahow, Za-How, Zahao, Zahau-Shimhrin), Khualsim (Khualshim, Kwelshin),

Lente (Gunte, Lyente), Sim, Tapong, Hlawnceu.

Collectively called Baro Halam.

Tapong reportedly has difficult intelligibility for other dialect speakers. 75% lexical similarity with Zanniat dialect. Ngawn [cnw], Bualkhaw [cbl], and the Hualngo dialect of Mizo [lus] are often included as sub-groups of Falam, since they live in Falam township.

Typology: SOV; negation is marked after the verb.

The Falam Chin highly value and use their language. All ages speak Falam in all domains. Most youth and some older people, if educated, can read Falam. There are radio programs in Falam. The Falam Bible was completed in 2016.

There are OLAC resources available in Falam Chin.

The Bengali (Bangla) script is used in India. The Latin script is of primary usage.