Draft:KUI
Kui language
[edit]Kui is an indigenous Dravidian language spoken by the Khond tribe (particularly the Kandha people), a Scheduled Tribe primarily inhabiting the hilly regions of Odisha and parts of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the major tribal languages in eastern India and plays an important role in the socio-cultural fabric of the Khond community.
Classification
[edit]Kui belongs to the South-Central branch of the Dravidian languages family. It is closely related to the Kuvi language and both are classified under the Gondi–Kui group. The ISO 639-3 code for Kui is kxu.
Linguistic Features
[edit]Kui has a distinct phonological system with typical Dravidian features such as agglutinative morphology and use of postpositions. It follows a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) word order. Though primarily an oral language, Kui is often written in the Odia script for official and educational purposes in Odisha.
Speaker Population
[edit]According to the 2011 Indian Census, there are approximately 941,000 speakers of Kui. It has one of the higher speaker populations among tribal languages in India, though bilingualism in Odia is increasing among younger generations."2011 Census Data". Government of India. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
Endangerment and Revitalization
[edit]While Kui is not currently classified as endangered by UNESCO, the increasing influence of Odia and English in education and media is leading to reduced intergenerational transmission. Various tribal welfare departments and NGOs have developed school textbooks and storybooks in Kui, and it is taught in some primary schools in tribal areas of Odisha.Krishnamurti, Bhadriraju (2003). The Dravidian Languages. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521771115.
Cultural Significance
[edit]The Kui language is central to Khond rituals, oral epics, songs, and folklore. It is a carrier of indigenous knowledge systems related to agriculture, nature, and community law. Language and culture are deeply intertwined in Khond social practices, festivals, and ceremonies.