Patrick Das

Tikhir, an endangered and politically marginalized Tibeto-Burman language spoken along the Indo-Myanmar border in Eastern Nagaland, is shaped by constant interaction with larger, neighboring indigenous languages Sangtam, Yimchingru and Khiamniungan. As Tikhir speakers navigate this multilingual environment, their language has undergone shifts influenced by both local interactions and broader, sociopolitical forces. This study examines how geography and multilingual networks influence these changes, using spatial analysis to track patterns of language use and shift. By mapping these dynamics, the research provides new insights into language change in small, endangered languages from less-understood parts of the world, thereby augmenting target documentation and preservation efforts.