Bhili (Bhili: , ), , is a Western Indo-Aryan language spoken in west-central India, in the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh. Other names for the language include Bhilboli and several Bhili varieties are called Garasia. Bhili is a member of the Bhil languages, which are related to Gujarati and Rajasthani. The language is written using the Devanagari script.
Bhili has no official status in India.
Phonology Consonants LabialDental/AlveolarRetroflexPalatalVelarGlottalStopvoicelessaspiratedvoicedbreathyAffricatevoicelessvoicedFricative()Nasal()LateralTrillApproximant
may also be heard as in free variation. occurs in loanwords from Persian and Hindi. is heard as an allophone of preceding .
Vowels FrontCentralBackHighMid-highMid-lowLow()
Vowels can also be heard as . is borrowed from Hindi. may also be heard as in final position.
Further reading Bodhankar, Anantrao. Bhillori (Bhilli) – English Dictionary. Pune: Tribal Research & Training Institute, 2002. Jungblut, L. A Short Bhili Grammar of Jhabua State and Adjoining Territories. S.l: s.n, 1937. Thompson, Charles S. Rudiments of the Bhili Language. Ahmedabad [India]: United Printing Press, 1895.
See also Languages of India Languages with official status in India List of Indian languages by total speakers
References