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The official languages of the state are Manipuri and English.
Meiteilon, the official language of Manipur, has a long history. Courses on Manipuri Language and Literature are offered as a subject up to M.A. level in both Central and State Universities. It is the main language of communication among all different tribes and people inhabiting Manipur. English Language is also slowly gaining ground as a common language of communication here. Meithei has been recognized as the Manipuri language by the Indian Union and has been included in the list of scheduled languages (included in the 8th schedule by the 71st amendment of the constitution in 1992). Meithei is taught as a subject up to the Post-graduate level (Ph.D.) in Universities of India, apart from being a medium of instruction up to undergraduate level in Manipur.
Meetei Mayek is a script, commonly referred as Mayek, which is being used since the ancient times. Though it was not in vogue for a certain period, its revival in recent past has gained popularity.
There are 29 different dialects spoken in Manipur Six main tribal dialects recognized by Government of Manipur for medium of instruction & examination up to class V are : 1. Tangkhul, language of Tangkhul people 2. Hmar, language of Hmar people 3. Paite, language of Paite people 4. Lushai, language of Lushai people 5. Thadou/Kuki, language of Kuki people 6. Mao, language of Mao people Tibeto-Burman Meitei is the official language of Manipur, where Tangkhul-Naga of the same group is also spoken. Different tribes of this region speak in their respective tribal dialects. Their regional dialects have been classified into two groups : • The Naga group of Tangkhul, Maram, Kabui, Kacha Naga and Thangal • The Kuki-Chin group of other remaining tribes of Manipur Manipuri (Meithei) is their common lingo. In this language some Bengali, Hindi and English words have also entered. Bengali scripts have also been used in this language. Manipuri vocabulary is limited as the Manipuri language seems to have not much developed. About 60% of the population of Manipur speak English and Meithei is the official language of the state. Olso written documents in Manipuri scripts on copper plates of 8th century AD ere found. It is beleieved that their forst book was written by hand in Manipuri language of Bengali scripts. The oldest two books in Manipuri language are : • Poireiton Khunthok • Numit Kappa The period from 1709 to 1819 is considered as the Silver Age of Manipuri literature as several Manipuri books were written during that time. Due to contact with Britishers, Manipuri literature was modernized after the year 1918. He Christian Missionaries were the first to translate their bible into different tribal languages of Manipur. A “History of Manipur” was, perhaps the first modern printed Manipuri book in 1891 from Calcutta.
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