Tonal Variations of Tripura (Usoi) Language

Tripura, also known as Tripuri, is one of the major languages spoken in the state of Tripura, located in the North -East region of India and belongs to the Bodo -Garo group of the Tibeto - Burman (TB) branch of the Sino-Tibetan (ST) family. The tone has almost disappeared among the speakers of the Tripura (Usoi) language in Bangladesh, especially young speakers due to the influence of the majority of languages in Bangladesh like Bangla, Chakma, and Marma . The study highlights how tones operate in both monosyllabic and disyllabic words, with clearer contrasts observed in single -syllable words, and provides a brief description of tones of other TB languages. The research explains that there are three tones in the Tripura (Usoi) language: High tone and Falling tone are represented by an acute accent ( ́) and grave accent ( ̀) respectively while Mid tone is unmarked , and also identifies minimal sets of words differing only in tone, illustrating the functional role of tones in distinguishing meaning in Tripura language. The analysis of the Usoi variety suggests that most monosyllabic word roots carry a mid-tone. Overall, the study sheds light on the tone system of the Tripura (Usoi) language with a particular emphasis on the southern part of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in Bangladesh and provides valuable insights into its variations, functions, and implications for further research.