Bhalesi dialect
Bhalesi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in the Bhalessa region of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is a member of the Bhadarwahi group of dialects and so falls under the Western Pahari sub-group of Indo-Aryan.[2]
Bhalesi | |
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![]() Bhalesi written in Takri | |
Native to | India |
Region | Bhales region of Jammu |
Language codes | |
ISO 639-3 | – |
Glottolog | bhal1244 |
ELP | Bhalesi [1] |
![]() ![]() Bhalesi ![]() ![]() Bhalesi | |
Coordinates: 33.03°N 75.90°E |
The region is locally known as Bhalessa (with variants like Bhalesh), or as Bhal, and from these terms derive the local names for the dialect: /ˈbʱɑli/ and /bʱəˈleiʃi/ (with variants /bʱəˈleʃi/, /bʱəˈlesi/).[3] The region mostly takes up two adjacent mountain valleys, with the main settlements being Kahra, Gandoh, Kilhotran, Jakyas, Bhatyas, and Juggasar. The neighbouring languages are Chinali, Pangwali and Chambeali to the south-east, Padri to the north-east, Kishtwari to the north-west, Sarazi to the west, and Bhadarwahi to the south.[4]
Features that distinguish Bhalesi from the other Bhadarwahi dialects include the preponderence of diphthongs, and the dropping of /l/ between vowels (e.g. Bhalesi /kɑo/ vs. Bhadarwahi /kɑlo/ 'black').[5]
References
- Endangered Languages Project data for Bhalesi.
- Kaul 2006, pp. 73, 85.
- Varma 1948, pp. 1–2. These are adjectives and are typically used with /ɡʌllã/ 'language'.
- Kaul 2006, pp. 73–74.
- Kaul 2006, pp. 75–76.
Bibliography
- Kaul, Pritam Krishen (2006). Pahāṛi and Other Tribal Dialects of Jammu. 1. Delhi: Eastern Book Linkers. ISBN 8178541017.
- Varma, Siddheshwar (1948). The Bhalesī dialect. Monograph series (Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal). 4. Calcutta.