The Mara (Tlosai) languages belong to the Kuki-Chin branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family. The speakers of the languages are also known as Mara (Tlosais).
Mara is a recognised language in the Mara Autonomous District Council (MADC) school curriculum. Mara is a compulsory subject for all schools up to class VII (middle school) under the Board of School Education, MADC.
Written script
A written script for Mara was first created in 1852 by Captain S.R. Tickell.[2] Further scripts were invented in 1869 by Captain T.H. Lewin, in 1908 by Rev. F.W. Savidge and by R.A. Lorain.[2]
Mara alphabet (capital letters)
A, AW, Y, B, CH, D, E, F, H, I, K, L, M, N, NG, O, Ô, P, R, S, T, U, V, Z
Mara alphabet (lowercase letters)
a, aw, y, b, ch, d, e, f, h, i, k, l, m, n, ng, o, ô, p, r, s, t, u, v, z
Mara diphthongs
ao, yu, ai, ei, ia, ie, ua
Grammar
Plurals
The plural form of a noun is formed by affixing one of the following terms to the end of the noun:
zy (zeu)
zydua (zeu-dua)
nawh
sahlao (sha-hlawh)
Today the Mara language has its own alphabet; words inside brackets show author N.E. Parry's transliterations from 1937.
Interrogative words in Mara
What: Khâpa, Khâpa e, Khâpa maw
Where:Khataih lâ, Khataih liata
How:kheihta, kheihawhta, Khatluta, Kheihta maw
How much?:Khazie?
How long?:Khachâ e, Khachâ maw?
When:Khatita, Khatita e, Khâpa nota, nota, tita, nahta, pata Conj. thlaita, khati nota
Why:Khazia, Khazia-e, Khazia maw, Khâpa vâta
Why not:Khazia a châ vei chheih aw
Whose:Kheihawhpa, Kheihawhpa he, Kheihawhpa-e, Kheihawhpa maw, ahy he maw
Which:Kheihawhpa, Kheihawhpa he, Kheihawhpa-e, Kheihawhpa maw, ahy he maw
