<Linguistic data>Jinghpaw loanwords in Zaiwa: Putting flesh on the bones of the Jinghpaw-Zaiwa special contact relationship

Abstract

Northern Burma constitutes one of the most intensive language contact areas in Mainland Southeast Asia. The Kachin people, who are linguistically diverse, speaking more than ten distinct Tibeto-Burman languages, are one of the major populations of the region. Recent studies show that language contact among the Kachin languages is not monolithic, but exhibits a core-periphery structure where Jinghpaw and Zaiwa illustrate the most intensive language contact. However, previous studies are still far from comprehensive. This paper provides around 1, 800 candidates for Jinghpaw loanwords in Zaiwa, which were identified by the author based on phonological patterns, morphological complexity, and cognates in sister languages. These new data put more flesh on the bones of the Jinghpaw-Zaiwa special contact relationship. This study will contribute to a deeper understanding of Kachin contact linguistics.