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). Shendu is a colonial name.
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. Further scripts were invented in 1869 by Captain T.H. Lewin, in 1908 by Rev. F.W. Savidge and by R.A. Lorain.
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
